Christ My Song - 1928
Joyful let us raise our voices
(Thomas Kelly/Johannes Thomas Rüegg)
Joyful let us raise our voices.
"Bound in affliction and iron." (Psalm 107,10)
1. Joyful let us raise our voices,
pris'ners once, but now set free;
as the bird released, rejoices
and exults in liberty;
so the slaves of sin, when freed,
feel that they are free indeed. PDF - Midi
2. Bound we were with iron fetters,
galling was the yoke we bore;
debtors we, insolvent debtors,
yet unfelt the chain we wore:
sleep had all our powers oppressed,
and we dreamt that this was rest.
3. But, as with a voice of thunder,
were we roused from sleep profound;
then our souls were filled with wonder,
all was new and strange around:
grievous then our chains appeared;
much we felt, and much we feared.
4. Then the voice of mercy sounded
sweet as music in our ears;
"Grace abounds where sin abounded;"
grace it is removes our fears;
grace has power to cheer our hearts,
grace, a holy joy imparts.
5. Grace we sing, "the grace of Jesus;"
grace, the spring of hope to man;
grace, that from our bondage frees us;
grace, too high for thought to scan;
grace, the theme that sinners love;
grace, a theme all themes above.
Thomas Kelly, Hymns on various passages of Scripture, ca. 1853, Hymn 245.