1. And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?
Refrain:
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!
2. ‘Tis mystery all! Th’Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine!
‘Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
3. He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race;
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
4. Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
5. No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
Refrain:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn king.
Shepherds, in the field abiding, Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing; Wonder shines the infant light
Sages, leave your contemplations, Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations; Ye have seen his natal star
Saints, before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending, In His temple shall appear.
All creation, join in praising God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising To th’eternal Three in One.
Sinners, wrung with true repentance, Doomed for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now revokes the sentence, Mercy calls you; break your chains.
Though an Infant now we view Him, H e shall fill His Father’s throne,
Gather all the nations to Him; Every knee shall then bow down:
Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heav’nly song?
Come to Bethlehem and see Him Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.