Author: Cowper Meter: Irregular Appears in 84 hymnals Scripture: Colossians 2:17 First Line: Israel in ancient days Lyrics: 1 Israel in ancient days,
Not only had a view
Of Sinai in a blaze,
But learn'd the gospel too:
The types and figures were a glass,
In which they saw the Saviour's face.
2 The Paschal sacrifice
And blood-besprinkled door,
Seen with enlighten'd eyes,
And once apply'd with pow'r,
Would teach the need of other blood,
To reconcile an angry God.
3 The lamb, the dove, set forth
His perfect innocence,
Whose blood of matchless worth,
Should be the soul's defence;
For he who can for sin atone,
Must have no failings of his own.
4 The scape-goat on his head
The people's trespass bore,
And to the desert led,
Was to be seen no more:
In him our surety seem'd to say,
"Behold I bear your sins away."
5 Dipt in his fellow's blood,
The living bird went free;
The type well understood,
Express'd the sinners plea;
Describ'd a guilty soul enlarg'd,
And by a Saviour's death discharg'd.
6 Jesus, I love to trace
Throughout the sacred page;
The footsteps of thy grace,
The same in ev'ry age!
O grant that I may faithful be
To clearer light, vouchsaf'd to me. Topics: The Scriptures, Legal, Prophetic, and Evangelical, collectively testify of the Savior
The Ceremonial Law points to Christ