My God, how shall I tell the grace
Or how the tender mercy trace
That looked upon an erring race
And then laid hold on me?
The mighty angels stood amazed,
The seraphim in wonder gazed,
Then loud their gladdest anthems raised
When Christ laid hold on me.
Who, who can plumb such mystery?
No tongue can tell — then let me be
Surprised to all eternity
That Christ laid hold on me.
And how may I such love return?
Oh, let my soul with passion burn,
While prostrate at his feet I learn
Why Christ laid hold on me.
To know him more would I aspire,
To love him with a heart of fire,
Wrapped up in him, my one desire,
Who first laid hold on me.
Then onward to that mark I press,
Till I the heavenly prize possess,
And with the ransomed throng confess
My Christ laid hold on me.
