1012    S.M.     T. Kelly
“Himself he cannot save.” Mat. 27. 42; Mk. 15. 31

1 “Himself he cannot save.”
  Insulting foe, ’tis true;
  The words a gracious meaning have,
  Though meant in scorn by you.

2 “Himself he cannot save.”
  This is his highest praise.
  Himself for others’ sake he gave,
  And suffers in their place.

3 It were an easy part
  For him the cross to fly;
  But love to sinners fills his heart,
  And makes him choose to die.

4 ’Tis love the cause unfolds,
  The deep mysterious cause,
  Why he who all the world upholds,
  Hangs upon yonder cross.

5 Let carnal Jews blaspheme,
  And worldly wisdom mock;
  The Saviour’s cross shall be my theme,
  And Christ himself my Rock.