Nought concealed

Great God! from Thee there's nought concealed,
Thou seest my inward frame;
To Thee I always stand revealed
Exactly as I am!

Since I can hardly, therefore, bear
What in myself I see;
How vile and black must I appear,
Most holy God, to Thee!

But since my Saviour stands between
In garments dyed in blood,
'Tis He, instead of me is seen,
When I approach to God.

Thus, though a sinner, I am safe;
He pleads, before the throne,
His life and death on my behalf,
And calls my sins His own.

What wondrous love, what mysteries,
In this appointment shine!
My breaches of the law are His,
And His obedience mine.

John Newton