Alicia Blackwood :: Jehovah Shammah—The Lord is there

Part I. JEHOVAH SHAMMAH.

This is the second name given to Jerusalem. In Jeremiah 33:16, "she shall be called Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our Righteousness," and here "the name of the city from that day shall be Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there."

That marvellous prophecy of Ezekiel gives us this wonderful name!

This name of the Lord, this strong Tower is a world of glory, far beyond our finite ken! But this we know if the Lord be there-there is Heaven!

Here, we see and know the strait and narrow path that leadeth thither-and faith-as yet not sight, tells us of the glory that is within, and which shall be revealed!

We read of "silence in Heaven for about the space of half an hour" (Revelation 8:1). Oh we need be silent also, as we contemplate what is revealed to us in God's Word, by such amazing visions, of the glorious dwelling of Jehovah Shammah.

"A paved work of a sapphire stone and as it were the body of heaven in its clearness" (Exodus 24:10) is given by Moses. Isaiah saw the Lord sitting upon a throne "high and lifted up, and His train filled the Temple. Above it stood the Seraphim: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory" (Isaiah 6:2-3).

Ezekiel "looked and behold a great cloud and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber out of the midst of fire" (Ezekiel 1:4).

"And above the firmament was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face" (Ezekiel 1:26-28).

Daniel tells us of the Ancient of days whose "throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. And a fiery stream issued and came forth before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him" (Daniel 7:9-10).

St. John beheld "a throne set in heaven, and one sat on the throne: and he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne in sight like an emerald" (Revelation 4:2-3).

And there dwelleth the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, "Pavilioned in splendour and girded with praise," and seraphim sing,-one crieth unto another, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts" (Isaiah 6:3). "And the living creatures which are round about the throne rest not day and night saying, 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was and is, and is to come.' And the elders fall before Him that sitteth on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and cast their crowns before the throne saying 'Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power, for Thou hast created all things and for Thy pleasure they are and were created'" (Revelation 4:8-10).

These are the visions of Jehovah Shammah!

There is "the light which no man can approach unto" (1 Timothy 6:16). Yet, "in Thy light O Lord shall we see light, for Thou art the fountain of light!" (Psalm 36:9).

Lord! shed Thy light, make plain the way
That leads to Zion's lofty Tower
Pierced by Thy beams, let night be day
So shall we sing and praise Thy power.

It is by Jehovah Tsidkenu only that we can enter this Tower, corruption cannot inherit incorruption.

There was one who prayed to behold the glory of Jehovah, "I beseech Thee show me Thy glory" (Exodus 33:19). But though Moses had been admitted to the Holy Mount and the cloud had covered the mount, concealing him from the people, yet into the Holiest of all where Jehovah dwelt, not even Moses could penetrate, there only could the true, the One Great High Priest, our Blessed Forerunner enter.

It is in The Rock we must hide when the glory of Jehovah passes by. For what eye beclouded with this body of death and corruption, could behold that ineffable glory? The poor earthen vessel would be speedily shivered by such an "appearance."

The full discovery, therefore, is reserved to a future state when man will be changed and clothed with perfection himself! and this shall be! For "all the promises of God in Jesus Christ are yea and amen:" (2 Corinthians 1:20): and where the Lord Jesus is, there will His servants be. "Father, I will that they also whom Thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory which Thou hast given me" (John 17:24).

Oh indeed it is by Jehovah Tsidkenu, that we shall be made meet for the city of Jehovah Shammah, the inheritance of the saints in light, and there we shall be made like Him, seeing Him as He is" (1 John 3:2).

To be with Jesus will be the consummation of our happiness, unmingled joy, and for evermore, for there no sin, no sorrow will be known.

Where saints exult in an endless peace,
And the gentle are safe and the good are blessed.

Oh "city of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel," "they shall call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise" (Isaiah 60:14-18), "the sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee; but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and Thy God Thy glory" (Isaiah 60:19-20).

Faith can show us these wonders but a little way; "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen O God beside Thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him," or as St. Paul says, "for them that love Him" (Isaiah 64:4). And though God hath revealed them to us, and the Spirit searcheth the deep things of God, yet not on earth can we truly realize the wonders which shall expand before us when we enter into glory!

The great Jehovah is indeed incomprehensible! "who by searching can find out God?" (Job 11:7). On all sides it is a paradox. Clouds of darkness shroud the great I AM, yet He dwelleth in light inaccessible and full of glory!

High above all creation, whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain, "I dwell in the high and holy place; yet with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit," also "looking to him that is poor, and trembleth at my word" (Isaiah 64:2). Who can penetrate that veil of majesty, and mystery and love? "No man hath seen God at any time" (John 1:18), yet in Jesus may He be seen who is invisible, for He is "the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person" (Hebrews 1:3). "He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father" (John 14:9).

"Oh tell of His might, O sing of His grace,
Whose robe is the light; whose canopy space,
His chariots of wrath deep thunder-clouds form
And dark is His path on the wings of the storm.
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!"

(Lyrics from "O Worship the King" by hymnwriter Robert Grant, 1779-1838.)

It is even so! As God hath said, "I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God, and they shall be my people, and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord God Almighty" (2 Corinthians 6:16; 6:18). Oh Love indeed which passeth knowledge!

"The God of all grace hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus" (1 Peter 5:10), and hath again in a vision assured us of our salvation for "I beheld and lo! a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds and people, and tongues stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands, and cried with a loud voice, 'Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb'" (Revelation 7:9-10).

And if one cry "what are these?" "These are they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple, and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them" (Revelation 7:14).

"Jehovah Shammah! the Lord is there."

"Glorious things are spoken of Thee, O city of God" (Psalm 87:3). "Judah shall abide for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation" (Joel 3:20).

This is the kingdom which Jesus hath opened to all believers. This is the "New Jerusalem which cometh down from God out of Heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Revelation 21:2), and having the glory of God; into which nothing that defileth can enter. "But they shall enter which are written in the Lamb's book of life" (Revelation 21:27).

Oh! may the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, "the Father of glory, give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of our understanding being enlightened: that we may know what is the hope of His calling and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints; and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us ward who believe, according to the working of His Mighty Power which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and set Him at His own right hand in the Heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but in that which is to come" (Ephesians 1:17-21).

And thither will the Lord Jesus bring His redeemed that they may behold His glory.

And that glory, will be our light, for this city Jehovah Shammah "hath no need of the sun neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof" (Revelation 21:23).

If this world, where sin so reigns and destruction is everywhere, and the withering hand of death universal, if, notwithstanding, this world be so full of beauty and magnificence, what can we imagine of that heavenly Jerusalem where all is perfection! for thus saith the Lord, "they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain" (Isaiah 11:9). "And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie" (Revelation 21:27).

And this is the Home which Jesus has prepared for them that love Him. "I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2). And He will prepare us for that "place," "Even, I the Lord that dwelleth in Zion" (Joel 3:21).

It has fairer bowers than Eden knew
It has lovelier scenes than earth contains,
And a purer light than this ether blue
Sheds a heavenly charm o'er the happy plains.

But it is not the ray so pure and bright,
Nor the bowers which flourish in endless bloom,
Shall yield me my dearest and best delight,
In the home that I look for beyond the tomb.

'Tis a land of goodness and heavenly love,
Land of the Lamb, and the Holy Dove;
Faction and hatred can never rise,
To that region fair, above yon skies.

And there my Saviour and King Thou art,
In Thy perfect joy and Thy glorious power;
And to see Thee, and love Thee, shall fill my heart
With an age of bliss in a single hour.

There too, I shall see the good and wise,
And I shall he wise and good as they;
How I long to share in their ample joys!
How I long from this world to soar away!

Sweet land of goodness and heavenly love
Land of the Lamb and the Holy Dove,
It will not be long ere my spirit free
Shall burst from its chains, and shill rise to Thee.

Part II. THE CALL-DEPARTURE OF THE REDEEMED

How beautiful is Thy breastplate, O Jesus, my High Priest! To be "set as a seal upon Thy heart"-what love! "and as a seal upon Thine arm-how strong!" (Song of Songs 8:6). "Engraven on the palms of Thy hands" (Isaiah 49:16). Oh! the love which said to the unbelieving one, "Behold My hands! reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side" (John 20:27). "Love is strong as death" (Song of Songs 8:6). Many waters cannot quench love. It has overcome death, and broken up the bars of the grave.

Oh, "to lean on the arm of our Beloved" (Song of Songs 8:5), as we pass through the wilderness of death-that wilderness where no earthly friend can help! But if our name be on the onyx stone we need not fear; if engraven on the breastplate, the Urim and Thummim are there. It will not be lonely, for on Jesus we lean; it will not be dark, for ineffable Light will illumine the path.

"Oh, death, where is thy sting?" (1 Corinthians 15:55). The sting of death is sin. But Thou, my Heavenly Father, Thou seest no transgression, for Jesus has blotted out all my sin.

Death cannot touch the robe of righteousness. And Thou hast taken "away the filthy garments and caused mine iniquity to pass from me;" and Thou hast clothed me with change of raiment" (Zechariah 3:4). Yes; "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall be joyful in my God, for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation; He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness" (Isaiah 61:10). "And in the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof is no death" (Proverbs 12:28).

The Righteous One hath overcome death and the grave. The seed of the woman hath bruised the serpent's head, and "led captivity captive" (Psalm 68:18). Christ hath seized the keys of death and hell, broken up the bars of the grave as a conqueror, and opened the kingdom of Heaven to all believers.

Amen. Yea, Hallelujah!
Jesus, praise to Thee be given
That a place for me through grace
Is by Thee prepared in Heaven;
Ah! how blest will be my case,
When I shall behold Thy face,
And, from pain and sorrow free,
Live for evermore with Thee.

Oh, glorious truth! that we, once dead in trespasses and sins, once laden with iniquity, and "all our lifetime subject to bondage through fear of death," (Hebrews 2:15) are through Christ, the only begotten and beloved Son of God, delivered. For Thou, oh Lord, our Saviour, hast proclaimed liberty to the captive, and we are free!

"The handwriting of ordinances which was against us" Thou, our Saviour, hast blotted out; Thou hast taken it away having nailed it to Thy cross" (Colossians 2:14). In Thee all our sins are forgiven, and death is swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54).

Oh, blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for "He hath visited and redeemed His people" (Luke 1:68). He hath brought us to the knowledge of salvation for the remission of our sins; He hath turned our darkness into light, for He hath given "light to such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death" (Luke 1:79).

Oh, then it is not death to die; and if the Lord Jesus be with us "surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life, and we shall dwell in the House of the Lord for ever" (Psalm 23:6).

Yes; in the House of the Lord, for it is Jehovah Shammah.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" (Psalm 116:15). For "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them" (Revelation 14:13).

For ever with the Lord!
Oh! when life's parting breath
Can echo that immortal word,
How beautiful is death!

And see, dear friend. Such love hath God towards us, "that willing more abundantly to show to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, He confirmed it by an oath, that we who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us, might have a strong consolation" (Hebrews 6:17-18). So will the Lord Jesus "present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24).

Oh, how comforting-how wonderful is this truth! how changed that death, when righteousness is our covering, and the Father looks upon the face of His Anointed, and sees us "complete in Him" (Colossians 2:10). "Thou art my Jehovah Tsidkenu, oh Lord Jesus Christ! for through Thy righteousness only shall I never see death."

It is true indeed that that sentence hath passed on all men, for it is the wages of sin, "and all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23); thus it is "appointed unto man once to die, and after that the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). This change must pass on all, "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" (1 Corinthians 15:53).

But in Jesus the bitterness of death is past, for He hath died, and hath changed the wages of sin for the gift of eternal life, and thus is brought to pass, "He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces, and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth" (Isaiah 25:8).

Oh, wonderful love! oh, wonderful promise! "If a man keep My saying he shall never see death" (John 8:51). "He that believeth in Me though he were dead yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die." And shall we not add that tender question, "Believest thou this?" (John 11:25-26).

For such there is no judgment. For in Christ there can be no condemnation. Jesus has once for all paid the penalty of sin; His redeemed are washed in His precious blood, He has justified them by His righteousness, sanctified them by His Spirit, and now "both He that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one, and are one" (Hebrews 2:11). Thus if we are in Christ, we have with Him died unto sin, and are risen with and in Him for our justification.

So shall we ever be with Him in glory; "For nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39). But with David we shall say, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me" (Psalm 23:4). Why should I fear? It is but a shadow, and what is a shadow? Jesus lightens the valley, for He will come again to receive His redeemed ones to Himself. Those whom the Father gave Him He has kept, and none of them is lost. Yes; we are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation" (1 Peter 1:5). Oh, how rich are the blessings! How rich the inheritance which He hath prepared for us! He draws us with lovingkindness, and "loves us with an everlasting love" (Jeremiah 31:3).

As Prince of Peace He gives us peace. "My peace I give unto you" (John 14:27).

As the Saviour, He casts the garments of salvation round us.

As King of Righteousness, He clothes us with His robe.

As King of Glory, He leads us to the throne of glory.

As heirs of God, He makes us joint-heirs with Himself, and appoints us kings and priests unto God.

"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy!" "for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood, out of every kindred and tongue, and people, and nation, and hast made us unto our God kings and priests" (Revelation 5:9-10). To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

When the praise of Heaven I hear,
Loud as thunder to the ear,
Loud as many waters' noise,
Sweet as harp's melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

A pencilled letter of a dear friend, written with weak and trembling hand, a few short days ere the spirit took its flight, is one of many similar testimonies to the peace which Jesus gives unto His people and leaves with them.

"The time has come to write plainly, that in this life I feel we shall not meet again. I grow daily weaker, but daily drawing nearer to our Blessed Lord, and look forward with hope and joy to my release. Dearest, God bless you! May we all meet hereafter.

"Your loving ---"

It was a solemn but happy farewell note, and, God be praised, there are many who can write and speak thus as they approach the border land. We have seen such sustained in perfect peace, falling asleep in Jesus, almost as though we saw the everlasting arms bearing the delivered soul to the regions of eternal bliss, according to the eternal promises, "I will not leave you nor forsake you," (Hebrews 8:5). "I will come again, and receive you unto Myself" (John 14:3).

Oh! yes, there is a number which no man can number of the redeemed. The Lord looketh down from the height of His sanctuary, and gives faith, and hope, and love to be the comforts of the righteous in his death. For when "the hour is come," when He will call us hence, the Holy Spirit will still be our "Witness that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:16), reconciled to Him by the death of His Son, and made His children by adoption and grace, having our names written in the Lamb's book of life, and a place prepared for us in Heaven, and Jesus will lead us to that throne of glory. For "God will be our guide unto death" (Psalm 48:14).

And will you now, dear friend, fear to follow? "Follow Me," is the Saviour's tender word. Jesus has smoothed the path, for He trod the dark and thorny way Himself, forsaken and alone; but He has pressed away the thorns, and He comes to receive you unto Himself; and He who is essential Light will disperse the gloom. Fear not then to tread the path; and the way is safe through Jordan. The Ark of the Covenant is there, and until all the redeemed pass over, the flood shall be stayed in its course.

Thus shall we reach the New Jerusalem where Jehovah Shammah reigns for ever and ever. Thus shall we enter into glory.

"Oh! blessed are the dead which die in the Lord" (Revelation 14:13). "Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord: this gate of the Lord into which the righteous shall enter" (Psalm 118:19-20). "From the uttermost parts of the earth have we heard songs even glory to the righteous" (Isaiah 24:16).

"Sing then, oh dear redeemed one! Sing, O comforted one! Sing aloud upon your bed, mingle your song with the saints, for they shall be joyful in glory" (Psalm 149:5).

Praise the Lord through every nation;
His holy arm hath brought salvation;
Exalt Him on His Father's throne;
Praise your King, ye Christian legions,
Who now prepares, in Heavenly regions,
Unfailing mansions for His own.
With the voice of minstrelsy
Extol His Majesty;
Hallelujah!
His praise shall sound, all nature round,
Where'er the race of man is found.

And on such as lean on the arm of their Beloved will glory-ineffable glory-shine as they enter the "Promised Land." "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily, and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward" (Isaiah 58:8).

"And in Thy presence, Oh Lord, is fulness of joy, and at Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore" (Psalm 16:11).

Thou art Jehovah Shammah. "The Lord is there," and where the Lord is, there is glory, for He is the God of glory. "O sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him; glory ye in His holy name" (Psalm 105:2-3).

It is there, dear friend, that we shall realise that the "Sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). Now we walk by faith, but then-oh, then will faith be swallowed up by sight! and the transcendent glory which shall beam upon us will obliterate all the pain and suffering of the past; for "God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4).

Did not the Lord Himself despise the shame and endure the cross for the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2)-the joy of that salvation which His love procured for us-joy in the fulfilment of the Father's will?

And now, oh Lord, "Thou hast ascended up on high; Thou hast led captivity captive. The chariots of God are twenty thousand even thousands of angels" (Psalm 68:17), and the triumphal song has gone forth: "Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty; the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, even lift them up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts; He is the King of Glory" (Psalm 24:7; 24:10).

And shall we behold that glory? Can we gaze on such a scene? Yes; for we ourselves, "Beholding the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18).

There, where my blessed Jesus reigns,
In Heaven's unmeasured space,
I shall a long eternity
Spend in ne'er ceasing praise.

Dear Jesus, every smile of Thine
Will fresh endearments bring,
And streams of ever new delight
From all Thy graces spring.

Haste, my Beloved! fetch my soul
Up to Thy blest abode;
Haste, for my spirit longs to be With Thee,
my Lord and God.

And then will be fulfilled the prayer of the Lord Jesus: "Father, I will that they also whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me." "And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them that they may be one as we are one" (John 17:22; 17:24).

Oh yes! we shall "behold the King in His beauty" (Isaiah 33:17); "for though now we see Him not, yet believing we love Him and rejoice with joy unspeakable" (1 Peter 1:8).

Well may we say, "It is too wonderful for me, I cannot attain unto it" (Psalm 139:6). Too wonderful indeed.

"Too dazzling bright for mortal eye."

For here the film of sin is over all, and we cannot gaze upon untarnished glory. But when freed from sin and death-"when this passing world is done"-then shall we stand before the throne of God, and join in the song of the harpers, harping with their harps. For we are loved in Jesus, chosen in Him; righteous in Him; risen with Him; and made to sit in heavenly places in Him. This is the consummation. Oh, truly, "We shall be satisfied when we awake, for we shall awake with His likeness" (Psalm 17:15).

The sands of time are sinking,
The dawn of Heaven breaks,
The summer morn I've sighed for-
The fair sweet morn awakes.
Dark, dark hath been the midnight,
But day spring is at hand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Emmanuel's land.

O Christ He is the Fountain,
The deep sweet well of love;
The streams on earth I've tasted
More deep I'll drink above:
There, to an ocean fulness,
His mercy doth expand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Emmanuel's land.

With mercy and with judgment
My web of time He wove,
And aye the dews of sorrow
Were lustr'd with His love.
I'll bless the hand that guided,
I'll bless the heart that plann'd,
When throned where glory dwelleth
In Emmanuel's land.

The Bride eyes not her garment,
But her dear Bridegroom's face;
I will not gaze at glory,
But on my King of grace;
Not at the crown He giveth,
But on His pierced hand;
The Lamb is all the glory
Of Emmanuel's land.

Who can speak the praises
Of Him who reigns above?
Who can count the wonders
Of His redeeming love?
How small the part they know,
Who know that love the best!
Around the throne, around the throne
All, all the souls at rest.

They who wake and wonder,
How after years of sin,
Heaven can yet stand open,
That they may enter in:
They who are much forgiven,
They who have fallen most.
They whose guilt is legion,
Dark as a gathering host.

They whose grief is chastened
By comfort it has taught,
They whose cup runs over
With blessings it has brought;
They who in tender life
Began to know its power,
More wonderful, more wonderful
Up to their latest hour.

They whom yet it waits for,
They who have just begun,
They who long have known Him,
And they whose work is done;
They who have ages past,
Before the throne of bliss,
Still know no song so joyous,
No theme so fresh as this.

Heaven in all its greatness,
Heaven is not so wide,
As the love of Jesus
Who once was crucified.
None, none can bless His name,
Not as it should be blessed,
Not angels nor archangels,
Not all the souls at rest.

Who can speak the praises
Of Him who reigns above?
Who can count the wonders
Of His redeeming love?
How small the part they know
Who know that love the best!
Around the throne, around the throne
All, all the souls at rest.