Tempted by the lying Serpent
Adam disobeyed the Lord
From the holy image fallen,
Reaped the righteous wrath of God.
On his soul and on his children
Fell the curse of swift decay;
For this doomed, depraved condition
All mankind shall fade away!
Unfathomable in mercy
Is the Father, Lord of hosts.
Long before the world was ready,
Planned to save the ones He chose:
Not because their souls were worthy
Or possessed of deeds to boast;
Helpless sinners, were they truly,
On whom God's grace did repose.
"Love Divine, all loves excelling"
Is the message of the cross:
For the Son, from heav'n descending
Came in flesh to suffer loss.
With His own blood He was paying
For the multitude of sin;
That His chosen ones, believing
may be washed and cleansed within.
In the exercise of preaching,
There's a power none can see:
'Tis the Holy Spirit's teaching
Minds and wills to set them free;
Stony hearts regenerating,
So that hearing, they receive,
Till the newborn heeds the calling
And he utters, "I believe!"
Pressing on to keep believing
Is the Lord's command to all;
But the flesh is so deceiving--
Left alone, would surely fall!
There's a higher Hand upholding
Those whom God would call His own:
To the very hand preserving
Till they see Him on His throne!
