Songs 46

Romans 3:19-22

1Vain are the hopes the sons of men

upon their works have built;

Their hearts by nature are unclean,

their actions full of guilt.

2Silent let Jew and Gentile stand,

without one vaunting word;

And, humbled low, confess their guilt

before heav’n’s righteous Lord.

3No hope can on the law be built

of justifying grace;

The law, that shows the sinner’s guilt,

condemns him to his face.

4Jesus! how glorious is thy grace!

when in thy name we trust,

Our faith receives a righteousness

that makes the sinner just.

First published by the Church of Scotland in 1781.
Published by: British & Foreign Bible Society