Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship ‎#124a

124a. While Full of the Malicious Fiend

1. While full of the malicious fiend,
Counsel they take against their Friend,
His thoughts to them are thoughts of peace,
Their hatred he with pity sees,
And bows his head, that they may find
His death the life of human kind.

2. Fear for a moment may with-hold,
And curb the man to evil sold,
But if a stronger passion rise,
He every consequence defies,
And nature all restraint disdains,
And sin and Satan take the reins.

3. Tremendous doom, when God the just
Leaves to themselves the slaves of sin!
When nothing now obstructs their lust,
With joy they let the tempter in,
And lo, the long-sought means they find
To perpetrate their ill design.

4. The blackest crimes I should have done,
Had you not hedged about my way,
Withheld my soul by ways unknown,
Stood by me in the evil day,
Opposed the violence of my will,
And mortified my lust to kill.

5. Forever be your grace adored,
Which would not give me up to die,
Like the old murd'rer of my Lord;
Thy saving name I magnify,
And humbled into nothing own
The difference made by grace alone.

Text Information

• First Line: While full of the malicious fiend
• Title: While Full of the Malicious Fiend
• Author: Charles Wesley (1766)
• Meter: 8.8.8.8.8.8
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2024
• Scripture:
  Luke 22:2-5
• Topic: Lent: Holy Week
• Notes: Text by Charles Wesley, founder of Methodism, from his unpublished MS Luke (1766), alt.

Tune Information

• Name: DAS NEUGEBORNE KINDELEIN
• Composer: Melchior Vulpius (1609)
• Arranger: J.S. Bach (1724)
• Meter: 8.8.8.8.8.8
• Incipit: 11154 35432
• Key: G Major or modal
• Notes: Tune Das neugeborne Kindelein by Melchior Vulpius, from Ein Schön Geistlich Gesangbuch (1609), arr. by Johann Sebastian Bach for his Cantata BWV 122, Mvt. 6 (1724).