by William Walter Shirley, 1725–86, and others; based on James Allen, 1734–1804
1 Sweet the moments, rich in blessing, which before the cross I spend, life and health, and peace possessing from the sinner's dying friend! 2 Here I rest, in wonder viewing all my sins on Jesus laid, and a full redemption flowing from the sacrifice He made. 3 Here I find my hope of heaven, while upon the Lamb I gaze; loving much, and much forgiven, let my heart o'erflow in praise. 4 Love and grief my heart dividing, with my tears His feet I'll bathe, constant still in faith abiding, life deriving from His death. 5 Lord, in ceaseless contemplation fix my thankful heart on Thee! till I taste Thy full salvation, and Thine unveiled glory see. Amen.
SIDEBAR
Holy Week
This hymn was posted as an aid to meditation for Holy Week 2010
All the hymns chosen focus our thoughts on the cross of Christ, which is the only thing in which a Christian may boast (Galatians 6:14). They remind us of our sin, the reason for Christ's death. But they point us forward to his coming in glory, the hope of heaven. We need both the backward look to Calvary lest we forget our purification from our former sins (2 Peter 1:9), and the forward look to glory that motivates us to purify ourselves, just as Christ is pure (1 John 3:3).
