“Now Let Us Join With Hearts and Tongues”
By John Newton, 1779
Now let us join with hearts and tongues,
And emulate the angels’ songs;
Yea, sinners may address their King
In songs that angels cannot sing.
They praise the Lamb who once was slain,
But we can add a higher strain;
Not only say, “He suffered thus,”
But, that He suffered all for us.
When angels by transgression fell,
Justice consigned them all to hell;
But mercy formed a wondrous plan,
To save, and honor fallen man.
Jesus, who passed the angels by,
Assumed our flesh to bleed and die;
And still He makes it His abode,
As man, He fills the throne of God.
Our next of kin, our Brother now,
Is He to whom the angels bow;
They join with us to praise His name,
But we the nearest interest claim.
But ah! how faint our praises rise!
Sure, ’tis the wonder of the skies;
That we, who share His richest love,
So cold and unconcerned should prove.
O glorious hour it comes with speed
When we from sin and darkness freed,
Shall see the GOD who died for man,
And praise Him more than angels can.