The Mercy To Our Fathers Show'd

For Christmas

Zechariah, the Father of John the Baptist
From “Zechariah's Song,” The Benedictus

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns on the Four Gospels: St. Luke, #1164. “To perform the mercy promised,” Gospel of St. Luke i. 72-76.

Source: George Osborn, ed., The Poetical Works of John and Charles Wesley. Vol. 11 (London: Wesleyan-Methodist Conference Office, 1871), p. 1137.

1 The mercy to our fathers show'd
    To us in every age extends,
That covenant seal'd by Jesus' blood
    Its blissful virtue never ends,
A covenant of redeeming grace
Confirm'd in Christ to all our race.

2 Jehovah by Himself hath sworn
    To Abraham and his faithful seed,
(Empty the word shall not return,)
    That we from all our tyrants freed,
From all our sins, through Jesus bless'd,
Shall dwell in everlasting rest.

3 We now the great salvation claim,
    The filial love that casts out fear,
The righteousness in Jesus' name,
    The gospel-holiness sincere,
The image of our God restored,
The tempers of our spotless Lord.

4 Father, Thy word, Thy oath we plead,
    In our behalf to Abraham given,
And wait to do, when free indeed,
    Thy will as angels do in heaven,
Blameless to walk before Thy face,
And serve Thee all our sinless days.

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