A Hymn For Good Friday

John Newton’s “In Evil Long I Took Delight”

In evil long I took delight

Unawed by shame or fear

Till a new object struck my sight,

And stopped my wild career.

I saw One hanging on a tree,

In agony and blood,

Who fixed his languid eyes on me,

As near his cross I stood.

Sure, never to my latest breath,

Can I forget that look;

It seemed to charge me with his death,

Though not a word he spoke.

My conscience felt and owned the guilt,

And plunged me in despair,

I saw my sins his blood had spilt,

And helped to nail him there.

A second look he gave,

which said, “I freely all forgive;

This blood is for thy ransom paid;

die that thou mayst live.”

Thus, while his death my sin displays

In all its blackest hue,

Such is the mystery of grace,

It seals my pardon too.

With pleasing grief and mournful joy

My spirit now is filled;

That I should such a life destroy

Yet live by him I killed.