verse 1 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.
verse 2 I oft read with pleasure, to sooth 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.
verse 3 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 Him to the tree Jehovah Tsidkenu—’twas nothing to me.
verse 4 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.
verse 5 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.
verse 6 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 breast-plate and shield!
verse 7 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.