Hymns in Lent - Day 4

"I was as a beast before thee." - Psalm 58:22

"Why will ye die?" - Exekiel 33:11

Let the beasts their breath reign,

Strangers to the life divine;

WHo their God can never know,

Let their spirits downward go:

Ye for higher ends were born:

Ye may all to God return;

Why will ye for ever die?

Ye, on whom he avours showers,

Ye, posses'd of nobler powers,

Ye, of reason's powers possest,

Ye, with will and memory blest!

Creatures capable of God;

Noblest of his creatures, why,

Why will ye for ever die?

Ye, who own his record true,

Ye, his chosen people too,

Ye, who call the Saviour Lord,

Ye, who read his written word:

Ye, who see the Gospel light,

Claim a crown in Jesus' right;

Why will ye, ye Christians, why

Will the house of Israel die?

  The Methodist Pocket Hymn-Book. New York: J. Soule and T. Mason Publishing Co., 1818.