THIS SON OF GOD
v.1
When the priests to Pilate brought
This Jesus, and of him besought
A verdict, that He might be slain,
Pilate’s heart was rent in twain.
By questions and by wife’s dream warned,
Their envious motives seen and scorned;
“I find your rancorous rantings flawed;
“I will not slay This Son Of God!”
v. 2
When the Earth began to shake,
And the stones in twain did break;
When the brightness of day went,
And the Veil in twain was rent,
Then did the soldiers quake, and rend
Their garments, and to Heaven send
Repentant prayers, in voices awed:
“In truth, this was The Son Of God!”
Cho. I
How many folk, throughout the years,
By deeds done, or forgot,
Have moved the Lord to angry tears
For error lived or taught?
Do I then sit by needless
Of the Grace my Lord has taught?
Persisting in pain, heedless
Of the Grace His Blood has bought?
(This is where I envision the proposed third stanza, which has so far eluded me.)
Cho. II
When my life came before Christ,
Did He languish by the side?
Or did He seize my sin foursquare,
Dispelling it as He died?
When Christ’s life comes before me,
What then shall my answer be?
Will I then cowardly slink away,
Or embrace Him, and be free?
(Whether it can made, without substantial rewrite, into a singable hymn, I have begun to doubt, because of my frequently archaic phrasing. But I am content, if it is destined to remain only the beautiful poem it is. I also wonder whether a third stanza is even necessary, as what I hoped to ask in it seems adequately covered in the 2nd Chorus! Maybe only some sort of musical segue? Your input here is much coveted! MARK)