Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Psalm 32:1
Words: Charles Wesley (1707–1788), alt.
Music: Complete in Thee Talmage J. Bittikofer, 1921 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
If you know where to get a good photo of Bittikofer (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Blest is the man, supremely blest,
Whose wickedness is all forgiv’n,
Who finds in Jesu’s wounds his rest,
And sees the smiling face of Heav’n.
The guilt and power of sin is gone
From him that doth in Christ believe,
It hidden lies, and still kept down,
And buried in his Savior’s grave.
Blest is the man, to whom his Lord
No more imputes iniquity,
Whose Spirit is by grace restored,
From all the guile of Satan free;
Free from design, or selfish aim,
Harmless, and pure, and undefiled,
A simple follower of the Lamb,
And harmless as a new-born child.
But while thro’ pride I held my tongue,
Nor owned my helpless unbelief,
My bones were wasted all day long,
My strength consumed with pining grief.
Crushed by Thine anger’s heavy hand,
Burnt up as dry and barren ground,
I ever of my sin complained,
But no relief or mercy found.
Resolved at last, to God I cried,
My sins I will at large confess,
My shame I will no longer hide,
My depth of desperate wickedness.
All will I own unto my Lord,
Without reserve or cloaking art,
I said; and felt the pardoning word,
Thy mercy spoke it to my heart.
For this shall every child of God
Thy pow’r and faithful love declare,
And claim the grace on all bestowed,
Who make to Thee their timely prayer;
But when the floods of judgment rise,
And sweep their guilty souls away,
Remains for sin no sacrifice;
For ended is their gracious day.
Thou art my hiding place; in Thee
I rest secure from sin and hell,
Safe in the love that ransomed me,
And sheltered in Thy wounds I dwell.
Still shall Thy grace to me abound,
The countless wonders of Thy grace
I still shall tell to all around,
And sing my great deliverer’s praise.
I will instruct the childlike heart,
(My Teacher saith for ever nigh).
“Nor let thee from My paths depart,
But guide thee with My gracious eye.
If thou My gracious look obey,
And yield My perfect will to prove,
Nor cast My easy yoke away,
Or stop thine ears against My love.
Whoe’er like horse or mule withstand,
And follow their own stiff necked will,
I bruise beneath My weighty hand,
And force them all My plagues to feel.
But they that dare in Me confide,
Shall only know My pardoning grace,
My mercy’s arms on every side
Shall every faithful soul embrace.
Ye faithful souls, rejoice in Him,
Whose arms are still your sure defense;
Your Lord is mighty to redeem:
Believe, and who shall pluck you thence?
All ye of upright heart, be glad,
For Jesus is your God and friend,
He keeps those who on Him are stayed,
And He shall keep them to the end.