Christian Songs, Part I

Ye nations hear, 'tis God doth call: Ye slaves, ye kings of ev'ry tongue, Give ear; the theme concerns you all; The great salvation is my song.

2 'Tis not for this, or that realm,— 'Tis no such mean contracted scheme,— Let ev'ry tongue adopt the Psalm; The common safety is my theme;

3 That grand deliv'rance then display'd, By God's dear Son, the Prince of Peace, When, rising from the grave, he said To his elev'n, with lips of grace;

4 All hail! my brethren, peace to you: That perfect bliss my Father hath, He gives to me, I give to you; For I have turn'd away his wrath.

5 Your works are finish'd by my hand; Your debt is paid, your sin forgiv'n; And, lo! I now ascend to stand Your ever-faithful friend in heav'n.

6 Ye see I live, who once was slain: Tell all the world the gladsome news; That God is reconcil'd to men, Barbarians, Greeks, as well as Jews:

7 In deserts, towns, to ev'ry kind, O'er ev'ry mountain, ev'ry plain, Tell, my salvation's not confin'd To any rank or sort of men.

8 Speak boldly in my name to all: My word with equal force prevails On wise, on fools, on great, on small; The mountains level, raise the vales.

9 Regard not how the news may please The sons of pride, who make their boast Of wisdom, wealth, and worldly ease; Nor think your labour will be lost.

10 Dream not in all the apostate race, A well-disposed heart to find, To welcome or improve my grace: Hope nothing from the human mind.

11 The great reward of all my pain Stands not on such precarious ground: Thus not one soul should life obtain; Thus all my pangs were fruitless found.