Hymns

How condescending and how kind

by Isaac Watts·1707·Meter 8.6.8.6 (CM)

1

How condescending and how kind
Was God's eternal Son!
Our misery reached his heav'nly mind,
And pity brought him down.

2

When Justice, by our sins provoked,
Drew forth its dreadful sword,
He gave his soul up to the stroke
Without a murm'ring word.

3

He sunk beneath our heavy woes,
To raise us to his throne;
There's ne'er a gift his hand bestows
But cost his heart a groan.

4

This was compassion like a God,
That when the Savior knew
The price of pardon was his blood,
His pity ne'er withdrew.

5

Now, though he reigns exalted high,
His love is still as great;
Well he remembers Calvary,
Nor let his saints forget.

6

Here we behold his bowels roll,
As kind as when he died;
And see the sorrows of his soul
Bleed through his wounded side.

7

Here we receive repeated seals
Of Jesus' dying love:
Hard is the wretch that never feels
One soft affection move.

8

Here let our hearts begin to melt
While we his death record,
And with our joy for pardoned guilt,
Mourn that we pierced the Lord.