Thy gracious eye survey d us
Ere stars were seen above :
In wisdom thou hast made us,
And died for us in love.
4 And couldst thou be delighted
With creatures such as we !
Who, when we saw thee slighted
And nail d thee to a tree !
Unfathomable wonder,
And mystery divine,
The voice that speaks in thunder,
Says, " Sinner, I am thine !"
53.
A Friend that sticheth closer than a Brother.—
Prov. xviii, 24.
1 ONE there is, above all others,
Well deserves the name of Friend !
His is love beyond a brother s.
Costly, free, and knows no end :
They who once his kindness prove,
find it everlasting love !
2 Which of all our friends, to save us,
Could or would have shed their blood ?
But our Jesus died to have us
Reconciled in him to God :
This was boundless love indeed !
Jesus is a Friend in need.
3 Men, when raised to lofty stations,
Often know their friends no more ;
Slight and scorn their poor relations,
Though they valued them before :
But our Saviour always owns
Those whom he redeem d with groans.
4 When he lived on earth abased,
Friend of sinners was his name ;
Now above all glory raised,
He rejoices in the same :
