With Satan, my accuser near,

With Satan, my accuser near,
My spirit trembled when I saw
The LORD in majesty appear,
And heard the language of his law.

In vain I wished and strove to hide
The tattered filthy rags I wore;
While my fierce foe, insulting cried,
"See what you trusted in before!"

Struck dumb, and left without a plea,
I heard my gracious Savior say,
"Know, Satan, I this sinner free,
I died to take his sins away.

This is a brand which I in love,
To save from wrath and sin design;
In vain thy accusations prove,
I answer all, and claim him mine."

At his rebuke the tempter fled;
Then he removed my filthy dress;
"Poor sinner take this robe, he said,
It is thy Savior's righteousness.

And see, a crown of life prepared!
That I might thus thy head adorn;
I thought no shame or suff'ring hard,
But wore, for thee, a crown of thorn."

O how I heard these gracious words!
They broke and healed my heart at once;
Constrained me to become the Lord's,
And all my idol-gods renounce.

Now, Satan, thou hast lost thy aim,
Against this brand thy threats are vain;
JESUS has plucked it from the flame,
And who shall put it in again?