O Thou, Before the World Began

1. O thou, before the world began,Ordained a sacrifice for man,And by th’eternal Spirit madeAn off’ring in the sinner’s stead;Our everlasting Priest art thou,Pleading thy death for sinners now.

2. Thy off’ring still continues newBefore the righteous Father’s view.Thyself the Lamb forever slain;Thy priesthood doth unchanged remain.Thy years, O God, can never fail,Nor thy blest work within the veil.

3. Oh, that our faith may never moveBut stand unshaken as thy love,Sure evidence of things unseen;Now let it pass the years betweenAnd view thee bleeding on the tree:My Lord, my God, who dies for me.