Dear Christians, One and All Rejoice

Words

1. 1Dear Christians, one and all rejoice, With exultation springing, And with united heart and voice And holy rapture singing, Proclaim the wonders God hath done, How his right arm the vict'ry won; Right dearly it hath cost him.
2. 2Fast bound in Satan's chains I lay. Death brooded darkly o'er me; Sin was my torment night and day, Therein my mother bore me. Deeper and deeper still I fell, Life was become a living hell, So firmly sin possessed me.
3. 3My good works could avail me naught, For they with sin were stainéd; Freewill against God's judgment fought, And dead to good remainéd. Grief drove me to despair, and I Had nothing left me but to die, To hell I fast was sinking.
4. 4God saw, in his eternal grace, My sorrow out of measure; He thought upon his tenderness To save was his good pleasure. He turn'd to me a Father's heart — Not small the cost to heal my smart He gave his best and dearest.
5. 5He spake to his beloved Son: 'Tis time to take compassion; Then go, bright jewel of my crown, And bring to man salvation; From sin and sorrow set him free, Slay bitter death for him, that he May live with thee forever.