1040    8.7.7.     T. Kelly
“I said unto thee … Live.” Ezek. 16. 6; Eph. 2. 4, 5

1 When we lay in sin polluted,
  Wretched and undone we were;
  All we saw and heard was suited
  Only to produce despair;
  Ours appeared a hopeless case;
  Such it had been, but for grace.

2 As we lay exposed and friendless,
  Needing what no hand could give,
  Then the Lord (whose praise be endless)
  Passèd by, and bid us live;
  This was help in time of need;
  This was grace, ’twas grace indeed.

3 Yes, ’twas grace beyond all measure,
  When he bid such sinners live,
  Laid aside his just displeasure,
  And determined to forgive;
  But he chose our hopeless case,
  With a view to show his grace.

4 And shall we be found forgetful
  Of the Lord, who thus forgave?
  Lord, our hearts are most deceitful,
  ’Tis in thee our strength we have;
  Should’st thou let thy people go,
  They’d forget how much they owe.

5 Keep us, then, O keep us ever!
  While we stand, ’tis in thy strength;
  Leave us not, forsake us never,
  Till we see thy face at length;
  Hold thy helpless people fast;
  Save us, Lord, from first to last.