Baptism

 I know a greater stream

Where fairer creatures teem

Grander than Jacob's well

There the currents run reversed: 

You will die, but never thirst

There, once, this leper fell

There He has made me well! 

 

One cup of water, bring

From that eternal spring

I've tasted once before:

Taste of death, yet I survive

To be-come, at last, alive! 

There is an endless store;

One cup, you need no more. 

 

I hear a fearsome sound

As I tread untrodden ground. 

To Pharaoh, You declare:

"I have raised you, all to show

You must let My people go."

LORD, bless this deadly fare;

Drown the gods of Egypt there. 

 

Tempests of danger mark

Noah safe within the arc.

Quenched every foul desire,

Washed away with rains above;

But this heart of hope and love

Water could not inspire:

You have baptized me with fire! 

 

Water of great renown

Let me fall in Thee, and drown;

Deep: call to deeper wave

Cover me, that I may swim

Deeper, deeper into Him

Make me a happy grave

Surround my soul, and save

 


I am a Slave of Jesus

 

Loved first by Him, forever lost!

Arrested by so glorious a Lord;

And I, redeemed at such a cost:

The Blood no man can buy or sell

The Blood of our Immanuel!

Such lavish freedom I cannot afford. 

 

My Shepherd has an iron rod,

We walk in gardens grown by living springs.

My Shepherd is the Living God

The King of Kings has set me free

The King of Kings has died for me!

I must remain secure beneath His wings. 

 

(Refrain)

I am a slave of Jesus

And who will set me free?

For I can not stop my love for Him

'Till He stops His love for me!

 

A lover's chains shall ever keep

My want for Him excited night and day:

He raps upon my door, I sleep:

"My darling, I have come to thee

My darling, open up to Me!"

Caught up in love, I cannot get away. 

 

With eagle's wings He carries me

To pinnacles of marvelous renown;

Has made my eyes these wonders see

Let all creation loud proclaim

Let all creation praise His Name!

From this great summit, I cannot climb down. 

 

Refrain

 

You my King, may possess me

My body on the altar, take and bind

Yoke firm my neck and conquer me

Detained for an eternal stay

Detained to ever, ever say:

I serve a Master, Master that is kind.

 

Refrain


Redeeming Love, More Excellent

 

Re-deeming love, more excellent

Than mind can comprehend

The Godhead filled a fleshly tent

His Justice to defend

And now has He become to me

A lover and a friend! 

 

The awful loving heart of God

What sinner's heart can know?

Replaced my back beneath the rod

My hell to undergo

Paid full amount to my account

Left not one cent to owe!

 

A mirror and a lethal law

Condemn my face, my heart

But clothed in Christ, without a flaw

He praises every part:

"My joy, My prize, remove your eyes!

My Bride, how fair thou art! 

 

O silent Lamb, whose dreadful Word

The storms, the stars obey

Your thunders every ear has heard

Your clouds conceal the day,

Then lift to show Your wrathful bow

Forever points away! 

 

Well rescued, now in grace I stand

Made happy and complete

And silent, watch His Holy Hand

My enemies de-feat

All stronger than this wretched man,

All desperately retreat! 


The Balm of Gilead

 

Weaken not, Oh wounded man

But upon the gospel stand

When your soul is touched with grief

Tossed about, with no relief

Cling to that assured belief:

Jesus Christ has died for you!

 

Shrink not in the weighty guilt

Wonder at whose blood was spilt! 

Lying hearts opposed within

Satan's darts and wicked men

Who is he who will condemn?

Jesus Christ has died for you!

 

Don't be frightened, don't despair

Cast upon Him every care

He spared not His only Son

It is finished, it is done

Let the mild troubles come

Jesus Christ has died for you!

 

When you take the dashing loss

Think upon our Savior's cross

Though the fleeting shadow dies

Labor not with sad goodbyes

Rest your head, and close your eyes

Jesus Christ has died for you!

 

Nothing near, below, above

Can remove you from His love

Tell Him that you love Him still

Tell Him that you always will

Praise Him every day until

Jesus comes again for you!


Surpassing

 

Though I face surpassing loss

And all my hopes like phantoms fade

Rest I then upon the cross

And ponder how my debt was paid

 

Endless dreams and worldly cares

Firm between His fingers lie

All my life is resting there

So shall I with rejoicing cry:

 

(Refrain)

Hasten moths at this vain treasure

Plunder my nostalgic gold

They shall seem so pale a pleasure

When His face finally I behold

 

Every mercy I remember

As the sunlight dimly sets

All His dealings, soft and tender

Leave me now with no regrets

 

Lord, from ashes blackened dry

Do I lift this voice of praise

And when this dust returns to die

My full body shall You raise:

 

Refrain

 

When unveiled at last I see

And His full beauties I discover

I shall need eternity

For my heart to well recover

 

Refrain

 


The Glories of Christ

 

Image of the unseen glories

Full expression of His light

Ever held against the bosom

Of the Father’s love and might

All creation bends and trembles

When He moves His fingers near

Ancient voice of many waters

Conquers all with love and fear.

 

Author entered into story

Eternity invaded time

Handle all the Father’s glory

As you Jacob’s ladder climb

Every jewel in Heaven’s treasure

Grace and truth in endless span

Oceans of the Father’s pleasure

Poured into the Son of Man.

 

All who would aspire to know Him

Know Him cursed upon the tree

Violent men like dogs surround Him

For His public victory

There the seat of mercy rested

Angels stoop for closer view

Heaven’s hosts were well invested

As the veil was torn in two.

 

Pains of death could not contain Him

By the Father’s glory –raised

Far above all kings and kingdoms

David’s Son forever reigns!

Death and hell did He devour

Calmed forever storms and strife

Prince of Peace and God of Power

Power of an endless life.

 

Now the long awaited union

Vintage of His ancient plan

Taste of wine and rich communion

Tabernacle: God with man!

Church adorned with holy fashion

Object of His great desire

Burning with unbridled passion

Burns the great Consuming Fire.