The eternal Sovereign from on high

1 The eternal Sovereign from on high
Cast on the sons of men his eye,
To see, if any understood,
And feared, and loved their Maker, God.

2 But all were so degenerate grown,
None the true God had fully known;
Both Jew and Gentile long had been
By lust enslaved, and dead in sin.

3 Both gone from wisdom's path astray,
Pursued the errors of their way,
With dismal superstition blind;
And causeless terrors fill'ed their mind.

4 Who, gracious God! to sinners' eyes
could bid the wished salvation rise?
Thy Son did light and truth display,
And turn their darkness into day.

5 No flesh shall boast of righteousness,
But guilty shall themselves confess;
And, when they heart thy pardoning voice,
In thy salvation shall rejoice.

A Selection of Hymns, from Various Authors, Supplementary for the use of Christians. 1st Ed., 1816