175. We Sing the Praise of Him Who Died

L.M.
by T. Kelly, 1815
1
We sing the praise of Him who died,
 
Of Him who died upon the cross,
 
The sinner’s Hope — let men deride;
 
For this we count the world but loss.
“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (John 19:23-30)
2
Inscribed upon the cross we see,
 
In shining letters, "God is love!"
 
The Lamb who died upon the tree
 
Has brought us mercy from above.
3
The Cross! it took our guilt away,
 
It holds the fainting spirit up;
 
It cheers with hope the gloomy day,
 
And sweetens every bitter cup.
4
It makes the coward spirit brave,
 
And nerves the feeble arm for fight;
 
It takes its terror from the grave,
 
And gilds the bed of death with light.
5
The balm of life, the cure of woe,
 
The measure and the pledge of love,
 
The sinner’s refuge here below,
 
The theme of praise in heaven above.
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