He who on earth as man was known

by John Newton

The Refuge, River, and Rock of the Church by John Newton

He who on earth as man was known,

And bore our sins and pains;

Now, seated on th' eternal throne,

The God of glory reigns.

His hands the wheels of nature guide

With an unerring skill;

And countless worlds extended wide,

Obey his sovereign will.

While harps unnumbered sound his praise,

In yonder world above;

His saints on earth admire his ways,

And glory in his love.

His righteousness, to faith revealed,

Wrought out for guilty worms,

Affords a hiding place and shield,

From enemies and storms.

This land, through which his pilgrims go,

Is desolate and dry;

But streams of grace from him o'erflow

Their thirst to satisfy.

When troubles, like a burning sun,

Beat heavy on their head;

To this almighty Rock they run,

And find a pleasing shade.

How glorious he! how happy they

In such a glorious friend!

Whose love secures them all the way,

And crowns them at the end.