Hymn Giving of the Law 358

Similar to the last hymn this one begins with Sinai and the law and then moves to Jesus' rescue mission when he frees captive souls 'And spreads a heaven of comfort there' (what a great line - heaven of comfort is a Puritan phrase). The idea of God as a shield is in Genesis 15. Philip Henry has a sermon called 'Christ is our shield'. ''Tis a dark night when he is gone, When he appears 'tis light and day' - another fine bit of writing.

358 Giving of the Law LM

JEHOVAH sends his wrath abroad, And fills a guilty world with fear; With awe we view th’ extended rod, And start to see our ruin near.

2 Not Israel’s sons could tremble more, When God from Sinai’s mountain spoke, Bade the loud thunders rage and roar, And clad his words in fire and smoke.

3 The law revealed with mighty power, Strikes all our hopes and comforts dead; Convictions now unknown before Our guilty trembling souls invade.

4 Hell's billows all around us roll, And all within is black despair, Till Jesus frees our captive souls, And spreads a heaven of comfort there.

5 Christ is our shield, and he our sun, His presence sends our fears away; 'Tis a dark night when he is gone, When he appears 'tis light and day.

Hymn Sinai and Zion 337

The hymn contrasts the old and new covenants. Verses 1-5 look at Sinai and then in 6-8 we come to New Testament Zion.

337 Sinai and Sion CM

WHEN God descends, a streaming fire Attends him through the sky; Thick clouds compose his dark attire, And vivid lightnings fly.

2 Impervious wreaths of smoke surround, And hide his awful seat; Incessant thunders roar around, Or murmur at his feet.

3 'Twas thus on Sinai’s lofty hill, Jehovah once appeared; The trumpet loud proclaimed his will, And trembling Israel heard.

4 They trembling heard, but straight forgot The terrors of the day; They scarcely left the awful spot, Before they went astray.

5 Their solemn vows they soon revoke, False and ungrateful prove; Forget the tempest, fire and smoke, Their Maker’s wrath and love.

6 What Sinai’s terror ne’er could do, That Sion's God performs; 'Tis he that creates our hearts anew, And strengthens feeble worms.

7 He gently leads our wandering souls In paths of righteousness; And all our passions he controls, By his all-powerful grace.

8 From Sinai we to Sion fly, The city of our God; Unawed and fearless we draw nigh, And make it our abode.