I take the view – if pushed on the subject – that hymn writing is not what it once was. So often after singing one of the ‘old favourites’ the phrase ‘they don’t write them like that any more’ comes to mind. And for today the following hymn will demonstrate this. The desire to post on ‘Good Friday’ has resulted in a hymn that to be honest I can’t remember, with sadness, when it was last sung. Further, there doesn’t seem to be a desire to sing then either. It’s by William Williams.
Here it is translated by Vernon Higham. To hear it sung go to the WV Higham Trust website.
THERE is a path of pardon
In His blood;
There is a sure salvation
In His blood.
The law’s full consummation,
A Father’s approbation—
Hear Zion’s acclamation!
In His blood—
Atonement and redemption
In His blood!
O come, ye sons of Adam,
And rejoice!
Now trust the God of Abraham
And rejoice!
O hasten, happy sinner,
To life in Christ for ever,
To bonds that nought can sever:
O rejoice!
In full and glad surrender
Come, rejoice!
William Williams, 1801-76
tr. by William Vernon Higham 1926-