You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

R46. Vain are the hopes the sons of men

1 Vain are the hopes the sons of men
upon their own works have built;
their hearts by nature are unclean,
their actions full of guilt.
2 Silent let Jew and Gentile stand,
without one vaunting word;
and, humbled low, confess their guilt
before heav'n's righteous Lord.

3 No hope can on the law be built
of justifying grace;
the law, that shows the sinner's guilt,
condemns hi to his face.
4 Jesus! how glorious is thy grace!
when in thy name we trust,
our faith receives a righteousness
that makes the sinner just.

Text Information
First Line: Vain are the hopes the sons of men
Meter: CM
Language: English
Publication Date: 2004
Scripture:
Tune Information
Name: ST THOMAS
Meter: CM
Incipit: 13215 67155 12
Key: A Major
Source: Ashworth's Collection, c. 1760



Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.