2.  What God did in His law demand- And none to Him could render- Caused wrath and woe on every hand- For man, the vile offender. Our flesh has not those pure desires- The spirit of the Law requires, And lost is our condition.

3.  It was a false, misleading dream- That God His Law had given- So sinners could themselves redeem- And by their works gain heaven. The Law is but a mirror bright- To bring the inbred sin to light- That lurks within our nature.

4.  From sin our flesh could not abstain- Sin held its sway unceasing; The task was useless and in vain, Our guilt was e’er increasing. None can remove sin’s poisoned dart- Or purify our guileful heart- So deep is our corruption.

5.  Yet as the Law must be fulfilled- Or we must die despairing, Christ came and hath God’s anger stilled, Our human nature sharing. He hath for us the Law obeyed- And thus the Father’s vengeance stayed- Which over us impended.

6.  Since Christ hath full atonement made- And brought us to salvation, Each Christian therefore may be glad- And build on this foundation. Thy grace alone, dear Lord, I plead, Thy death is now my life indeed, For Thou hast paid my ransom.

7.  Let me not doubt, but trust in Thee, Thy Word cannot be broken; Thy call rings out, “Come unto Me!” No falsehood hast Thou spoken. Baptized into Thy precious name, My faith cannot be put to shame, And I shall never perish.

8.  The Law reveals the guilt of sin- And makes men conscience-stricken; The Gospel then doth enter in- The sinful soul to quicken. Come to the Rock, trust Christ, and live; The Law no peace can ever give,- No comfort and no blessing.

9.  Faith clings to Jesus’ blood alone- And rests in Him unceasing; And by its fruits true faith is known, With love and hope increasing. Yet faith alone doth justify, Works serve thy neighbor and supply- The proof that faith is living.