Scripture Verse

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Introduction

portrait
John Newton
1725–1807

Words: John New­ton, Ol­ney Hymns (Lon­don: W. Ol­iv­er, 1779), Book 1, num­ber 134, alt. Look­ing un­to Je­sus.

Music: Al­stone Chris­to­pher E. Will­ing, in the Ap­pen­dix to Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern, 1868 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Will­ing (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), would you ?

Lyrics

By various maxims, forms and rules,
That pass for wisdom in the schools,
I strove my passion to restrain;
But all my efforts proved in vain.

But since the Savior I have known
My rules are all reduced to one:
To keep my Lord, by faith, in view;
This strength supplies, and motives too.

I see Him lead a suffering life,
So patient midst reproach and strife;
And from His pattern courage take
To bear, and suffer, for His sake.

Upon the cross I see Him bleed,
And by the fight from guilt am freed;
This sight destroys the life of sin,
And quickens heav’nly life within.

To look to Jesus as He rose
Confirms my faith, disarms my foes;
I Satan shame and overcome,
By pointing to my Savior’s tomb.

Exalted on His glorious throne,
I see Him make my cause His own;
Then all my anxious cares subside,
For Jesus lives, and will provide.

I see Him look with pity down,
And hold in view the conqueror’s crown;
If pressed with griefs and cares before,
My soul revives, and asks no more.

By faith I see the hour at hand
When in His presence I shall stand;
Then it will be my endless bliss,
To see Him where, and as He is.