"Himself he cannot save."

"Himself he cannot save."
Insulting foe, 'tis true;
The words a gracious meaning have,
Though meant in scorn by you.

"Himself he cannot save."
This is his highest praise.
Himself for others' sake he gave,
And suffers in their place.

It were an easy part
For him the cross to fly;
But love to sinners fills his heart,
And makes him choose to die.

'Tis love the cause unfolds,
The deep mysterious cause,
Why he who all the world upholds,
Hangs upon yonder cross.

Let carnal Jews blaspheme,
And worldly wisdom mock;
The Saviour's cross shall be my theme,
And Christ himself my Rock.