Hymn 436 from our hymn book, Psalms & Hymns of Reformed Worship.

JESUS, commissioned from above,
Descends to us below,
And shows from Whom the springs of love
In endless mercy flow.

He, Whom the boundless Heaven adores,
Whom angels long to see,
Departed from those blissful shores,
Ambassador to me!

To me, who never sought his grace,
Who mocked His sacred Word:
Who never knew or loved His face,
But all His will abhorred.

To me, who could not even praise
When His kind heart I knew,
But sought a thousand devious ways
Rather than find the true.

Yet this redeeming Saviour came
So vile a worm to bless;
And took with gladness all my blame,
And gave His righteousness.

O, that my listless heart might glow
With ardour all divine!
And, for more love than seraphs know,
Like burning seraphs shine!

Author: Ambrose Serle (1742-1812)
Tune: Laetitia
Composer: Christoph von Glück (1714-87) arr.