O EVER precious Saviour,
Thou didst from heaven descend,
An outcast in the manger,
The sinner's perfect Friend;
The angels spoke Thy praises,
The shepherds saw the light,
As they their flocks were guarding
From danger through the night.
They hastened to that manger
Thy blessed face to see,
Their lips were filled with praises,
Their hearts with ecstasy;
Thou cam'st from scenes of glory
To this sad world of woe,
To tell God's love to sinners
That they His heart might know.
Thou didst create the waters
In Ocean, Lake and Sea,
And yet could'st ask a sinner
To give a drink to Thee.
Thy path was one of sorrow,
So little understood,
Hid from the eyes of others,
Known only unto God.
But O how sweet to follow
Thy foot steps through this scene,
'Tis there we see perfection
Where all around is sin;
'Tis there we see unfolded,
As like a fragrant flower,
Thy wondrous love and mercy,
Thy glory and Thy power.
But Lord, 'twas on Mount Calvary,
That cruel, cruel tree,
Where Thou did'st bear the judgment
To set the guilty free;
'Twas there the cup of sorrow
Was drained for us instead,
'Twas there, Thou Lord of glory,
Wast numbered with the dead.
O'er sin, and death and Satan,
Thy power is complete,
At God's right hand in glory
Thou now hast found Thy seat;
And we in Thee accepted
In all the Father's love,
Await to hear Thee call us
To be with Thee above.
And then through endless ages,
Thy blood-bought ones will be
Transformed into Thy likeness,
Thy blessed face to see.
Then speak the word, Lord Jesus,
And call Thine own away,
To be with Thee forever
In heaven's eternal day.