1 I too will magnify the Lord,
And emulate the angels’ lays,
His loving-kindnesses record
In sounds of everlasting praise.
2 For all He hath on us bestowed,
This only tribute can I bring,
Extol the mercies of my God,
His multitude of mercies sing.
3 How good to Israel’s chosen race:
Who, who can all His goodness tell!
So rich in unexhausted grace,
His riches are unsearchable.
4 "Surely," He said, "mine own they are,
My people will not faithless prove,
My children will not slight my care,
Or disappoint a Father’s love."
5 Sweetly He strove their hearts to gain,
He wooed them to embrace His will,
They never asked His help in vain,
But found a present Saviour still.
6 Dear as the apple of His eye
In all their griefs He kindly grieved;
The angel of His presence nigh
From all the favorite nation saved.
7 He rescued when to evil sold,
He snatched them from impending harms,
Carried them all the days of old,
Safe in His everlasting arms.
8 He magnified His saving power,
Called them His utmost grace to prove,
With infinite compassion bore
The objects of His tenderest love.
9 But Oh! They soon forsook their God,
The faithless and rebellious race
In devious paths of evil trod,
And grieved the Spirit of His grace.
10 They vexed; and forced His wrath to rise,
His vengeance fell so long delayed:
Constrained the rebels to chastise,
He poured His judgments on their head.
11 His mercy then He called to mind,
He called to mind the ancient days
When only merciful, and kind
He smiled on the peculiar race.
12 Where is He now—their God, their guide!
(He taught their hearts the powerful plea)
"Where is He now," their hearts replied,
"Who brought His people from the sea?"
13 Who placed a shepherd o’er the rest,
And gave him wisdom from above,
And breathed into his peaceful breast
The meek, mild Spirit of His love.
14 Them by the hand of Moses led,
His power, and goodness to proclaim,
Beyond the bounds of time to spread
Jehovah’s everlasting name.
15 The Lord of hosts in all appeared,
He smote the sea with Moses’ rod,
His glorious arm aloft He reared.
The parting sea confessed its God.
16 He brought them thro’ the wondrous way,
The deep was dry at His command,
Secure they marched in firm array,
Nor stumbled, till they reached the land.
17 Smooth as the generous nurtured beast,
Into the verdant vale goes down,
To bring them to that promised rest,
His Spirit gently led them on.
18 Thus didst Thou guide Thy chosen race,
That every tongue might speak Thy fame,
And earth and Heaven conspire to praise
The God of Israel’s glorious name.
Source: The Cyber Hymnal #11111
Charles Wesley, M.A. was the great hymn-writer of the Wesley family, perhaps, taking quantity and quality into consideration, the great hymn-writer of all ages. Charles Wesley was the youngest son and 18th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley, and was born at Epworth Rectory, Dec. 18, 1707. In 1716 he went to Westminster School, being provided with a home and board by his elder brother Samuel, then usher at the school, until 1721, when he was elected King's Scholar, and as such received his board and education free. In 1726 Charles Wesley was elected to a Westminster studentship at Christ Church, Oxford, where he took his degree in 1729, and became a college tutor. In the early part of the same year his religious impressions were much deepene… Go to person page >
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