Scripture Verse

A man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ. Galatians 2:16

Introduction

portrait
Julia H. Johnston (1849–1919)

Words: Ju­lia H. John­ston, in Bi­ble Stu­dy Songs, by Ber­tha F. Vel­la & Da­ni­el B. Tow­ner (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts & Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Pil­grim Press, 1899), page 85.

Music: Ne­pal O. T. Wren (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know Wren’s full name, or where to get a good pho­to of him (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), or a bet­ter one of John­ston,

Lyrics

The Law is holy, just and good,
And each command we should obey;
For Moses wrote the very things
The Lord requires of us today.
But none have kept, with perfect heart,
The Ten Commands from Sinai heard,
For we are weak, and break the Law,
In daily thought and deed and word.

The Sav­ior kept the perfect Law,
For us He bore the guilt of sin;
He died to pay the debt we owe,
He lives to make us pure within.
The Gos­pel is the blessèd news
Of pardon bought, at highest cost;
Redemption now is full and free,
And none who trust Him shall be lost.

Then justified by faith are we,
By grace and mercy from above;
And peace with God, thro’ Je­sus Christ,
Is ours thro’ His redeeming love.
We long to be like Christ our Lord,
For be ye holy is His word;
We long to spread the glad good news
Which our rejoicing hearts have heard.