The First Promise of God

1 When, by the tempter's wiles betray'd,
Adam our head and parent fell;
Unknown before, a pleasure spread
Thro' all the mazy deeps of hell.

2 Infernal powers rejoic'd to see
The new-made world destroy'd, undone;
But God proclaims his great decree,
Pardon and mercy thro' his son.

3 Serpent accurs'd, thy sentence read,
Almighty vengeance thou shalt feel:
The woman's seed shall break thy head,
Thy malice faintly bruise his heel.

4 Thus God declares, and Christ descends,
Assumes a mortal form, and dies;
Whilst in his death, death's empire ends,
And the proud conqueror conquer'd lies.

5 Dying, the king of glory deals
Ruin to all his numerous foes:
His power the prince of darkness feels,
And sinks oppress'd beneath his woes.


Source: A Selection of Hymns: from the best authors, intended to be an appendix to Dr. Watt's psalms and hymns. (1st Am. ed.) #CXXII

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #15980