1 Dear Christians, one and all rejoice,
With exultation springing,
And, with united heart and voice
And holy rapture singing,
Proclaim the wonders God has done,
How His right arm the vict'ry won;
Right dearly it hath cost Him.
2 Fast bound in Satan's chains I lay;
Death brooded darkly o'er me.
Sin was my torment night and day;
In sin my mother bore me;
Deeper and deeper still I fell;
My life became a living hell,
So firmly sin possessed me.
3 My good works so imperfect were,
They had no power to aid me;
My will God's judgments could not bear,
Yea, prone to evil made me:
Grief drove me to despair, and I
Had nothing left me but to die;
To hell I fast was sinking.
4 Then God beheld my wretched state
With deep commiseration;
He thought upon His mercy great,
And willed my soul's salvation;
He turned to me a Father's heart;
Not small the cost! to heal my heart;
Not small the cost! to heal my smart,
He gave His best and dearest.
5 He spoke to His beloved Son:
'Tis time to have compassion:
Then go, bright Jewel of my crown,
And bring to man salvation;
From sin and sorrow set him free;
Slay bitter death for him, that he
May live with Thee forever.
6 The Son obeyed right cheerfully,
And, born of virgin mother,
Came down upon the earth to me,
That He might be my brother:
His mighty power doth work unseen,
He came in fashion poor and mean,
And took the devil captive.
7 He sweetly said: Hold fast by Me,
I am thy Rock and Castle.
Thy Ransom I myself will be;
For thee I strive and wrestle:'
For I am with thee, I am thine
And evermore thou shalt be mine,
The foe shall not divide us.
8 The foe shall shed my precious blood,
Me of my life bereaving;
All this I suffer for thy good,
Be steadfast and believing:
Life shall from death the vict'ry win,
My innocence shall bear thy sin,
So art thou blest forever.
9 Now to My Father I depart,
From earth to heaven ascending,
Thence heavenly wisdom to impart,
The Holy Spirit sending:
He shall in trouble comfort thee,
Teach thee to know and follow me,
And to the truth conduct thee.
10 What I have done and taught, teach thou,
My ways forsake thou never,
So shall my kingdom flourish now,
And God be praised, forever:
Take heed lest men with base alloy
The heavenly treasure should destroy;
This counsel I bequeath thee.
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