The Lutheran Hymnal ‎#289

289. The Law Commands and Makes Us Know

1 The Law commands and makes us know
What duties to our God we owe;
But 'tis the Gospel must reveal
Where lies our strength to do His will.

2 The Law discovers guilt and sin
And shows how vile our hearts have been;
The Gospel only can express
Forgiving love and cleansing grace.

3 What curses doth the Law denounce
Against the man that fails but once!
But in the Gospel Christ appears,
Pard'ning the guilt of num'rous years.

4 My soul, no more attempt to draw
Thy life and comfort from the Law.
Fly to the hope the Gospel gives;
The man that trusts the promise lives.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: The Law commands, and makes us know
• Title: The Law Commands and Makes Us Know
• Author: Isaac Watts (1709)
• Meter: L.M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1941
• Scripture:
  Psalm 19:9
• Topic: The Word: Law and Gospel

Tune Information

• Name: OLD HUNDREDTH
• Meter: L.M.
• Key: G Major
• Source: "Genevan Psalter," 1551