How great was our dear Lord's distress

1 How great was our dear Lord's distress;
His trials how severe:
When in a howling wilderness,
He strove with Satan there.

2 That foe assault's him with disdain;
Thou art here left alone,
To suffer hunger, thirst and pain--
Would God forsake his son!

3 Now to supply thy present need;
Art thou the son of God!
Command these stones that they be bread,
Supply thyself with food.

4 May we reply as Jesus did,
When we are tempted too!
This is the means, by which we rid,
Ourselves of such a foe.

5 Man does not live by bread alone,
But by that sacred word:
By which all things are made and done,
As order'd by the Lord.

6 In various ways the tempter tried,
To cause the Saviour's fall;
But was defeated and defied,
And miss'd his aim in all.

7 Christ conquer'd and he gain'd the day,
In all he overcame--
To him we look, to him we pray,
And we shall do the same.

8 To his dear word and promises,
We ever have recourse;
In him always have we success,
To banish Satan's force.

Source: Church Hymn Book: consisting of newly composed hymns with the addition of hymns and psalms, from other authors, carefully adapted for the use of public worship, and many other occasions (1st ed.) #LIII