Scripture Verse

God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Introduction

Words: Ann T. Gil­bert (1782–1866).

Music: Dar­wall’s 148th John Dar­wall, in The New Uni­vers­al Psal­mo­dist, by Aar­on Will­iams, 1770 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

  • Millennium Ply­mouth Col­lect­ion, 1855 (🔊 pdf nwc)
  • St. John (Par­ish) Par­ish Choir, 1851 (🔊 pdf nwc)
portrait
Ann T. Gilbert (1782–1866)

Lyrics

What was it, bless­èd God,
Led Thee to give Thy Son,
To yield Thy well-be­loved
For us by sin un­done?
’Twas love un­bound­ed led Thee thus
To give Thy well-beloved for us.

What led Thy Son, O God,
To leave Thy throne on high,
To shed His pre­cious blood,
To suf­fer and to die?
’Twas love, un­bound­ed love to us,
Led Him to die and suf­fer thus.

What moved Thee to im­part
Thy Spir­it from above,
Therewith to fill our heart
With hea­ven­ly peace and love?
’Twas love, un­bound­ed love to us,
Moved Thee to give Thy Spir­it thus.

What love to Thee we owe,
Our God, for all Thy grace!
Our hearts may well o’er­flow
In ev­er­last­ing praise:
Make us, O God, to praise Thee thus
For all Thy bound­less love to us.