Christ My Song - 1014
He who on earth as man was known - The Refuge, River, and Rock of the Church (John Newton/Johannes Thomas Rüegg)
The Refuge, River, and Rock of the Church.
Isaiah 32,2.
1. He who on earth as man was known,
and bore our sins and pains,
now, seated on the eternal throne,
the God of glory reigns. PDF - Midi
2. His hands the wheel of nature guide
with an unerring skill;
and countless worlds, extended wide,
obey his sovereign will.
3. While harps unnumbered sound his praise
in yonder world above,
his saints on earth admire his ways,
and glory in his love.
4. His righteousness to faith revealed,
wrought out for guilty worms,
affords a hiding-place and shield
from enemies and storms.
5. This land, through which his pilgrims go,
is desolate and dry;
but streams of grace from him o'erflow,
their thirst to satisfy.
6. When troubles, like a burning sun,
beat heavy on their head,
to this Almighty Rock they run,
and find a pleasing shade.
7. How glorious he! how happy they
in such a glorious Friend!
whose love secures them all the way,
and crowns them at the end.
John Newton, Olney Hymns I, no. 59, 1816, 60-61;
and in: Schaff, Philip: Christ in Song, 1870, 274-275.