“I LAY DOWN MY LIFE ...”

J. C. Evershed

Thy life Thou didst lay down, O Lord,

Such was Thy Father’s will;

His rights to Him Thou would’st accord,

His pleasure all fulfil.

 

Although this act was all Thine own

(None took Thy life from Thee),

Thou waited’st for His time alone,

And His authority.

 

On this account Thy Father’s love,

Not new, but freshly moved,

Shone down on Thee from heav’n above;

Obedience fully proved!

 

For us, Thy sheep, Thou did’st lay down

That life—good Shepherd Thou,

To form one flock of all Thine own,

Responsive to Thee now.

 

The bands of death have all been freed,

Death had o’er Thee no right—

The life laid down Thou hast anew

In resurrection’s might.