The Humiliation, Exaltation, and Triumphs of Christ

Verse 1

The mighty frame of glorious grace, That brightest monument of praise That e'er the God of love designed, Employs and fills my lab'ring mind.

Verse 2

Begin, my soul, the heav'nly song, A burden for an angel's tongue: When Gabriel sounds these awful things, He tunes and summons all his stungs.

Verse 3

Proclaim inimitable love: Jesus, the Lord of worlds above, Puts off the beams of bright array, And veils the God in mortal clay!

Verse 4

What black reproach defiled his name, When with our sins he took our shame! He whom adoring angels blessed Is made the impious rebel's jest.

Verse 5

He that distributes crowns and thrones Hangs on a tree, and bleeds, and groans! The Prince of Life resigns his breath, The King of Glory bows to death!

Verse 6

But see the wonders of his power, He triumphs in his dying hour; And while by Satan's rage he fell, He dashed the rising hopes of hell.

Verse 7

Thus were the hosts of death subdued, And sin was drowned in Jesus' blood; Thus he arose, and reigns above, And conquers sinners by his love.

Verse 8

Who shall fulfil this boundless song? The theme surmounts an angel's tongue: How low, how vain are mortal airs, When Gabriel's nobler harp despairs!