SacredSongs
#897Grace & forgiveness

Hymn 897: I once was a stranger to grace and to God

I once was a stranger to grace and to God ; I knew not my danger, and felt not my load ; Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ on the tree, " Jehovah Tsidkenu " was nothing to me.

2. Like tears from the daughters of Zion that roll, I wept when the waters went over His soul, Yet thought not that my sins had nailed to the tree " Jehovah Tsidkenu " — 'twas nothing to me.

3. When free grace awoke me, by light from on high, Then legal fears shook me, I trembled to die ; No refuge, no safety, in self could I see; " Jehovah Tsidkenu " my Saviour must be.

4. My terrors all vanished before the sweet name ; My guilty fears banished, with boldness I came To drink at the fountain, life-giving and free : " Jehovah Tsidkenu " was all things to me.

5. E'en treading the valley, the shadow of death, This watchword shall rally my faltering breath ; For, when from life's fever my God sets me free, " Jehovah Tsidkenu " my death-song shall be.