Christian Classics
‹ Olney Hymns

John Newton & William Cowper · 133 of 356

132. Israel in ancient days

Hymn 132

Israel in ancient days, Not only had a view Of Sinai in a blaze, But learned the gospel too: The types and figures were a glass In which they saw the Savior’s face.

The paschal sacrifice, And blood–besprinkled door, Seen with enlightened eyes, And once applied with pow’r; Would teach the need of other blood, To an angry God.

The Lamb, the Dove, set forth His perfect innocence, Whose blood, of matchless worth, Should be the soul’s defence: For he who can for sin , Must have no failings of his own.

The scape–goat on his head The peoples’ trespass bore, And to the desert led, Was to be seen no more: In him, our Surety seemed to say, “Behold, I bear your sins away.”

Dipped in his fellows’ blood, The living bird went free, The type, well understood, Expressed the sinner’s plea; Described a guilty soul enlarged, And by a Savior’s death discharged.

Jesus I love to trace Throughout the sacred page; The footsteps of thy , The same in every age! O grant that I may faithful be To clearer light, vouchsafed to me.