Thus Saith the First, the Great Command

Verse 1

Thus saith the first, the great command, "Let all thy inward powers unite To love thy Maker and thy God With utmost vigor and delight.

Verse 2

"Then shall thy neighbor next in place Share thine affections and esteem, And let thy kindness to thyself Measure and rule thy love to him."

Verse 3

This is the sense that Moses spoke, This did the prophets preach and prove; For want of this the law is broke, And the whole law's fulfilled by love.

Verse 4

But O! how base our passions are! How cold our charity and zeal! Lord, fill our souls with heav'nly fire, Or we shall ne'er perform thy will.