The Cyber Hymnal ‎#13037

13037. What Think Ye Of Christ?

1 What think ye of Christ? is the test
To try both your state and your scheme;
You cannot be right in the rest,
Unless you think rightly of Him.

2 As Jesus appears in your view,
As He is belovèd or not;
So God is disposèd to you,
And mercy or wrath are your lot.

3 Some take Him a creature to be,
A man, or an angel at most;
Sure these have not feelings like me,
Nor know themselves wretched and lost:

4 So guilty, so helpless, am I,
I durst not confide in His blood,
Nor on His protection rely,
Unless I were sure He is God.

5 Some call Him a Savior, in word,
But mix their own works with His plan;
And hope He His help will afford,
When they have done all that they can:

6 If doings prove rather too light
(A little, they own, they may fail)
They purpose to make up full weight,
By casting His name in the scale.

7 Some style Him the pearl of great price,
And say He’s the fountain of joys;
Yet feed upon folly and vice,
And cleave to the world and its toys:

8 Like Judas, the Savior they kiss,
And, while they salute Him, betray;
Ah! what will profession like this
Avail in His terrible day?

9 If asked, what of Jesus I think?
Though still my best thoughts are but poor;
I say, He’s my meat and my drink,
My life, and my strength, and my store,

10 My shepherd, my husband, my friend,
My Savior from sin and from thrall;
My hope from beginning to end,
My portion, my Lord, and my all.

Text Information

• First Line: What think ye of Christ? is the test
• Title: What Think Ye Of Christ?
• Author: John Newton
• Meter: LMD
• Language: English
• Source: Olney Hymns (London, W. Oliver, 1779), Book 1
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: GREEN FIELDS
• Composer: J. S. Bach
• Arranger: Lewis Edson
• Meter: LMD
• Key: G Major or modal
• Source: The Peasant Cantata (Mer hahn en neue Oberkett); Arr.: The Chorister's Companion (New Haven, Conn: 1782)
• Copyright: Public Domain