Himself He could not save;
He on the cross must die,
Or mercy cannot come
To ruined sinners nigh:
Yes, Christ the Son of God must bleed,
That sinners might from sin be freed.
Himself He could not save,
For justice must be done;
And sin's full weight must fall
Upon the sinless One;
For nothing less can God accept
In payment of that fearful debt.
Himself He could not save,
For He the Surety stood
For all who now rely
Upon His precious blood.
He bore the penalty of guilt
When on the cross His blood was spilt.
Himself He could not save,
Yet now, a Saviour, He
Bids sinners to Him come,
And live eternally.
Believing in Him now we prove
His saving power, His changeless love.