A Dying Savior

Anne Steele wrote the following long meter hymn, “A Dying Savior,” which was found in her Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional, 1760. It is often set to the tune Zephyr by William B. Bradbury (written 1844).

1. Stretch’d on the cross, the Savior dies;
Hark! his expiring groans arise!
See, from his hands, his feet, his side,
Runs down the sacred crimson tide!

2. But life attends the deathful sound,
And flows from ev’ry bleeding wound:
The vital stream, how free it flows,
To save and cleanse his rebel foes!

3. To suffer in the traitor’s place,
To die for man, surprising grace!
Yet pass rebellious angels by—
O why for man, dear Saviour, why?

4. And didst thou bleed? for sinners bleed?
And could the sun behold the deed?
No, he withdrew his sick’ning ray,
And darkness veil’d the mourning day.

5. Can I survey this scene of woe,
Where mingling grief and wonder flow,
And yet my heart unmov’d remain,
Insensible to love or pain?

6. Come, dearest Lord, thy pow’r impart,
To warm this cold, this stupid heart,
Till all its pow’rs and passions move,
In melting grief and ardent love.