1. In Jordan's Tide the Baptist Stands
Immersing the repenting Jews;
The Son of God the rite demands,
Nor dare the holy man refuse;
Jesus descends beneath the wave,
The emblem of his future grave.
2. Wonder, ye heav'ns! Your Maker lies
In deeps concealed from human view;
Ye saints, behold him sink and rise,
A fit example thus for you;
The sacred record, while you read,
Calls you to imitate the deed.
3. But lo! From yonder op'ning skies,
What beams of dazzling glory spread!
Dove-like, th'eternal Spirit flies,
And lights on the Redeemer's head;
Amazed they see the pow'r divine,
Around the Savior's temples shine.
4. But hark, my soul, hark and adore!
What sounds are those which roll along?
Not like loud Sinai's awful roar,
But soft and sweet as Gabriel's song;
"This is my well-beloved Son,
I see well pleased what he hath done."
5. Thus as th'eternal Father spoke,
Who shakes creation with a nod;
Through parting skies the accents broke,
And bids us hear the Son of God;
O hear the awful word to-day,
Hear all ye nations and obey! |
