English poem
Christian Songs, Song XVII
by John Glas (1809–1894)
Say, Faith, who bleeds on yonder tree? Know'st thou that visage marr'd and torn? My Lord, my God! Ye angels, see Your dread Creator crown'd with thorn!
2 Step nearer; view these ghastly wounds! See how his yearning bowels move! See how his breaking heart abounds With streaming pledges of his love!
3 Lord! what are we, that we are lov'd Till wrath pour on thee all its storms? Thou grasp'st us fast in death unmov'd; Nor hell can tear us from thy arms.
4 Hark! ah! that mournful loud complaint! To his forsaking God he cries! His horrors shake the earth! lo! rent The vail! the sun in darkness dies.
5 With horror, nature, see thy God, Who bade thee be, groan and expire! Mourn sun; at his almighty nod Thy beams shot first refulgent fire.
6 Astonish'd earth with trembling shook; Rocks' dreadful bosoms burst and rend; The holy elect angels stoop; And all in silence wait the end.
7 Justice divine! for all we owe, Tho' sums immense are multiply'd, A broad discharge, blood-seal'd, we'll show: "'Tis finish'd!" Jesus said, and dy'd.