O marvel! that All-holy God, The Lord,
The glorious King by heaven and earth adored,
Monarch of those bright million worlds above,
And centre of their worship and their love,--
That He, the Mighty One, the Fountain-head
Of every praise, through wide creation spread,
Should deign to claim as honour -- 'honour great'--
The sinner's rescue from his lost estate!
That He, in loving warmth, should condescend
To ask me for my heart, as friend with friend;
Yea, should be kindly jealous, yearning still
To win a creature's love, and charm his will,
By the soft eloquence of pardoning grace,
And showing me my Father's smiling face!
Whispering me too, that there is joy in heaven,
'More joy' when I repent and am forgiven,
And that, although my heart's poor flame burns dim,
He loves that altar-fire, as lit for Him!