Christ the Beloved described

1 Fair Salem's daughters ask to know
Why I should love my Jesus so;
What are his charms, say they, above
The objects of another's love?

2 Yes, my Beloved, to my sight
Shows a sweet mixture, red and white;
All human beauties, all divine,
In my Beloved meet and shine.

3 White is his soul, from blemish free;
Red was his blood he shed for me;
The fairest of ten thousand fairs;
A sun among ten thousand stars.

4 His head the finest gold excels;
There wisdom in perfection dwells,
And glory, like a crown, adorns
Those temples once best with thorns.

5 Compassions in his heart are found,
Hard by the signals of his wound:
His sacred side no more shall bear
The cruel scourge, the piercing Ssear.

6 His hands are fairer to behold
Than diamonds set in rings of gold;
Those heavenly hands that on the tree
Where nailed, and torn, and bled for me.

7 Though once he bowed his feeble knees,
Loaded with sins and agonies,
Now on the throne of his command,
His legs like marble pillars stand.

8 His eyes are majesty and love,
The eagle tempered with the dove;
No more shall trickling sorrows roll,
Through those dear windows of his soul.

9 His mouth that poured out long complaints,
Now smiles, and cheers his fainting saints;
His countenance more graceful is
Than Lebanon with all its trees.

10 All over glorious is my Lord,
Must be beloved, and yet adored;
His worth if all the nations knew
Sure every one would love him too.

The Christian's duty, exhibited in a series of hymns, 1791