The Death and Excellency of Christ

1 The things on earth which men esteem,
And of their richness boast,
In value less or greater seem,
Proportioned to their cost.

2 [The diamond, that’s for thousands sold,
Our admiration draws;
For dust men seldom part with gold,
Or barter pearls for straws.]

3 Then what inestimable worth
Must in those crowns appear,
For which the Lord came down to earth,
And bought for us, so dear!

4 The Father dearly loves the Son,
And rates his merits high;
For no mean cause he sent him down
To suffer, grieve, and die.

5 The blessings from his death that flow,
So little we esteem,
Only because we slightly know,
And meanly value him.

6 [’Twas our Creator for us bled,
The Lord of life and power;
Whom angels worship, devils dread –
God blest for evermore.]

7 O could we but with clearer eyes
His excellencies trace,
Could we his person learn to prize,
We more should prize his grace.


Source: A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #803a