FINISHED His works, the seventh day God did rest,
Himself the blessed God — His creatures blest!
How beautiful the earth! No sin, no stain,
No thorn, no curse, no sorrow there, nor pain,
Alas! man fell: though “good,” a creature ne’er could stand
Except as evermore upheld by God’s own hand.
A subtle enemy had ruin wrought, —
Yes, man’s eternal ruin he had sought;
But, though he seemed to triumph for awhile,
God’s purpose was poor man to reconciled
The cross unfolds His way (our thoughts so far above!),
Declares God’s righteousness, and manifests His love.
Behold the second man, the Lord from heaven!
In Him is life eternal, freely given;
Through faith in Him the sinner’s bonds are riven,
And man in Christ is raised from earth to heaven.
Nor this alone — for soon creation’s self shall be
All reconciled, new-made, from sin and sorrow free,
And God with men shall dwell through all eternity!