Classic Poem

HYMN XLIV.

While thy love's pledges we receive
In this blest supper, Lord, we see
What grateful tribute, what returns
Of love and praise we owe to thee.

O may thy altar's holy fire
Inflame our hearts, refine our tongues!
May love divine our breasts inspire
With heav'nly thoughts, and heav'nly songs!

Tho to extol thy wondrous grace
Our thoughts and words too low will prove;
Thou, Lord, wilt ne'er refuse a song
From any heart that's tun'd with love.

While to thy cross we turn our eyes,
And there thy agonies review;
What we deserv'd, but thou hast born,
Thy wounds, thy groans, thy torments shew.

While terror o'er thy soul was spread,
Thy cruel foes reviling stood;
While clouds of wrath burst on thy head.
They bath'd their hands in sacred blood.

The sun astonish'd hid his face,
The heavens a sable garment wore;
The hard earth's foundations shook,
And solid rocks asunder tore:

The temple's veil was rent, to shew
Heav'n's throne unveil'd to our high-priest;
The opening graves and rising saints,
The virtue of his death confest.

Thou, Lord of life, didst soon revive;
Nor could thy tomb thee long retain,
Who to lay down thy life hadst pow'r,
And pow'r to take it up again.

Thy body, once with wounds deform'd,
Does now with heav'nly glory shine,
Adorn'd, and made a temple fit
For such a beauteous soul as thine.

As once upon the cursed tree
Our sins, with thee our Saviour, dy'd:
So, Lord, we hope to rise like thee,
And sing thy triumphs at thy side.