“I will,“ God said, “forge for Myself,
Out of the vastness of My wealth,
An immeasurable expanse
With stars and planets in a dance
Rejoined by all of heaven’s host
For joy that I would choose to boast
The power of My potent hand.
In this, I will have caused to stand
The earth. Like some immense platform;
A battle-ground for battle-storm
Laid bare before heaven’s wondering eye.
That it might be the place where I
Display My power and wrath—but also, there, My grace.
“And then, mid all bursting life
That teems upon a land that’s rife
With verdant greens and growing things
And crashing waves and flowing streams
At my command, I will, from dust,
Beget man. Who, though from the crust
Of earth was wrought, will have, above
All things that I create, My love.
For this I will have fashioned men:
That they be satisfied in Me, and then,
In their great joy in My great fame,
I will get glory for My Name.”
That teems upon a land that’s rife
With verdant greens and growing things
And crashing waves and flowing streams
At my command, I will, from dust,
Beget man. Who, though from the crust
Of earth was wrought, will have, above
All things that I create, My love.
For this I will have fashioned men:
That they be satisfied in Me, and then,
In their great joy in My great fame,
I will get glory for My Name.”
“But though with mirth I will create
This race in high and blessed estate,
They will not long continue there.
But will, in lust, attempt to wear
The crown alone reserved for me,
And will refuse to bow their knee.
Thus, through their sin the world will fall—
Plunged into death; a crimson ball
That spins amid the vast expanse
And rives into the heav’nly dance.
In righteous wrath I’ll turn My face
From them. Who strive to, in My Place,
Erect themselves as mighty God.
Rightly shall they bear My rod!”
This race in high and blessed estate,
They will not long continue there.
But will, in lust, attempt to wear
The crown alone reserved for me,
And will refuse to bow their knee.
Thus, through their sin the world will fall—
Plunged into death; a crimson ball
That spins amid the vast expanse
And rives into the heav’nly dance.
In righteous wrath I’ll turn My face
From them. Who strive to, in My Place,
Erect themselves as mighty God.
Rightly shall they bear My rod!”
And then God said,
“But even though they will rebel
And justly be condemned to hell,
I have counseled deep within My-
Self, and purpose long what I
Will do. In mercy, I shall save
A remnant from the burning grave;
Will capture for My Son a bride
So that We may be glorified
By all the joy that they receive
At My hand. Indeed, to achieve
This end I will create and then
Redeem a people from the race of men.”
“But even though they will rebel
And justly be condemned to hell,
I have counseled deep within My-
Self, and purpose long what I
Will do. In mercy, I shall save
A remnant from the burning grave;
Will capture for My Son a bride
So that We may be glorified
By all the joy that they receive
At My hand. Indeed, to achieve
This end I will create and then
Redeem a people from the race of men.”
And as He spoke, so is done.
In mercy, Christ—the very Son
Of God—from heaven’s lofty seat, came
And bore our guilt and took our blame.
In mercy, Christ—the very Son
Of God—from heaven’s lofty seat, came
And bore our guilt and took our blame.
Now, O Christ, fill our hearts with joy!
Let us, with all the heaven, employ
Our songs of exultation in
Your triumph over death and sin.
Oh let once-mournful hearts rejoice
And grant our feeble spirits voice.
For this You have redeemed our souls:
That we be satisfied in You; and so,
By our great joy in Your great fame,
You will get glory for Your name.
Let us, with all the heaven, employ
Our songs of exultation in
Your triumph over death and sin.
Oh let once-mournful hearts rejoice
And grant our feeble spirits voice.
For this You have redeemed our souls:
That we be satisfied in You; and so,
By our great joy in Your great fame,
You will get glory for Your name.