Jehovah Tsidkenu

I once was a stranger to grace and to God, 
I knew not my danger, and felt not my load; 
Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ on the tree, 
Jehovah Tsidkenu was nothing to me. 

I oft read with pleasure, to soothe or engage, 
Isaiah's wild measure and John's simple page; 
But e'en when they pictured the blood sprinkled tree 
Jehovah Tsidkenu seemed nothing to me. 

Like tears from the daughters of Zion that roll, 
I wept when the waters went over His soul; 
Yet thought not that my sins had nailed to the tree 
Jehovah Tsidkenu - 'twas nothing to me. 

When free grace awoke me, by light from on high, 
Then legal fears shook me, I trembled to die; 
No refuge, no safety in self could I see-- 
Jehovah Tsidkenu my Savior must be. 

My terrors all vanished before the sweet name; 
My guilty fears banished, with boldness I came 
To drink at the fountain, life giving and free-- 
Jehovah Tsidkenu is all things to me. 

Jehovah Tsidkenu! My treasure and boast, 
Jehovah Tsidkenu! I ne'er can be lost; 
In Thee I shall conquer by flood and by field 
My cable, my anchor, my breastplate and shield! 

Even treading the valley, the shadow of death 
This watchword shall rally my faltering breath; 
For while from life's fever my God sets me free 
Jehovah Tsidkenu my death-song shall be. 

by Robert Murray McCheyne 
Scottish Presbyterian Minister 
1813-1843

(Tsidkenu is Hebrew for The Lord our Righteousness)