The New English Hymnal ‎#84

84. It is a thing most wonderful

1 It is a thing most wonderful,
Almost too wonderful to be,
That God’s own Son should come from heaven,
And die to save a child like me.

2 And yet I know that it is true:
He chose a poor and humble lot,
And wept, and toiled, and mourned, and died
For love of those who loved him not.

3 But even could I see him die,
I could but see a little part
Of that great love, which, like a fire,
Is always burning in his heart.

4 It is most wonderful to know
His love for me so free and sure;
But ’tis more wonderful to see
My love for him so faint and poor.

5 And yet I want to love thee, Lord;
O light the flame within my heart,
And I will love thee more and more,
Until I see thee as thou art.

Text Information

• First Line: It is a thing most wonderful
• Author: W. Walsham How, 1823-97
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: The Christian Year: Passiontide

Tune Information

• Name: HERONGATE
• Arranger: R. V. W.
• Meter: LM
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: Essex folk song
• Copyright: Arr. by permission of Oxford University Press (from "English Hymnal")