1
In Jordan’s tide the prophet stands,
Immersing the repenting Jews;
The Son of God the right demands,
Nor dares the holy man refuse:
Jesus descends beneath the wave,
The emblem of his future grave.
2
Wonder, ye heavens! your Maker lies
In deeps conceal’d from human view;
Ye men behold him sink and rise,
A fit example thus for you:
The sacred record, while you read,
Calls you to imitate the deed.
3
But, lo! from yonder op’ning skies,
What beams of dazling glory spread!
Dove-like the Eternal Spirit flies,
And lights on the Redeemer’s head;
Amaz’d they see the power divine
Around the Savior’s temples shine.
4
But hark, my soul, hark and adore!
What sounds are those that roll along,
Not like loud Sinai’s awful roar,
But soft and sweet as Gabriel’s song!
“This is my well-beloved Son;
“I see, well pleas’d, what he hath done
”
5
Thus the eternal Father spoke,
Who shakes creation with a nod;
Through parting skies the accents broke,
And bid us hear the Son of God:
O, hear the awful word to-day;
Hear, all ye nations, and obey.