The night before, were I to look

In darkness draped, what would be found?

A feeble lamb still, prone, neck dripping

Tongue drooling, wordless, there bound

 

Or would I see a shadow glowing; a statue of wretch-in-prime

Virtue-less; a drought of sin collapsed through all of time

 

The night before, where was I then

In depravity still gasping

Breathing condemnations and

In plague, mercy harassing

 

Like this pen, my fast-held sin, content to purge my heart

I’d drink in creation’s purest wine and spew back my vile art

 

I know defiance and corruption

Most naturally habitual

If I were Peter, oh the fool,

Would ever I so lost control

 

On oath, how could I know the man who looks and pleads for me

Where was I the night before, but darkened by Lust’s revelry

 

And in that tomb, in cold stone cast

A treasure of true wrath

More decrepit than Pandora’s box

Most fit for my own path

 

The night before He wandered there, and seized from me this fate

That of all the vilest thugs like me, this Christ took on such hate

 

And drank He full my fiercest blight

While still in sin was I

While still echoed my sinners’ plea

“Damn him! Let’s crucify!”

 

And hanged for me atoning Son; the night before – slain lamb

There echoed for me the fiercest cry of love from the I Am

 

How can I look Him in the eye

The tomb then sealed from me

He is the savior I’d deny

Yet by Him I am set free

 

This is my Sovereign, He my grace, that ever bids me look

Foreknowing, in His mercy flood, my name He not forsook

 

His will alone refused to miss

This lost and wandering sheep

For glory demands such as this

By cross, my broken heart He keep

 

In victory I claim not the night before but dawn that’s soon to rise

The Lamb has conquered death, behold the One who satisfies