Justification by Faith, Not by Works
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
Vain are the hopes the sons of men,
On their own works have built;
Their hearts by nature all unclean,
And all their actions guilt.
Let Jew and Gentile stop their mouths,
Without a murmuring word,
And the whole race of Adam stand
Guilty before the Lord.
In vain we ask God’s righteous law
To justify us now;
Since to convince and to condemn
Is all the law can do.
Jesus, how glorious is Thy grace!
When in Thy name we trust,
Our faith receives a righteousness
That makes the sinner just.