Stands the Christ Between the Heavens

Stands the Christ between the heavens

and the world which labors, cries;

One his right and full possession,

one the treasure he espies.

Intercessor for your glory

you have claimed the victory;

O'er our sins proclaim your triumph,

plead for us your tomb and tree.

Nailed between the scorn and glory,

struck down, hanged, and lifted high-

Hallelujah, O, Messiah!

Grant us life in you who died.

Bleeding Lamb, wide scourged, deep piercèd,

bright the crown on maimèd head,

keen your blade to cut the quick, and

strident roar to stir the dead.

Priest of priests, yourself the off'ring;

sprinkled blood on altar-horn,

sin and guilt and consecration,

bull and goat and lamb year-born.

Yet the bread of glad thanksgiving,

ere the first-fruit's pressèd oil,

still the horn of wine heart-gladd'ning,

worthy end of blessèd toil.

Sacrifice upon the altar,

debt and hope you satisfy-

Pouring blood below to cover,

pouring sweet smoke to the sky.

Jesus, God and man entire,

all-eternal clad in time;

Hail tem'rarious men your glory,

trembling angels wonder chime.

Word of God revealed, related,

ere the call on called man's tongue;

Yours the life we render freely,

joyous hymn by martyrs sung.

Pure, unblemished, and perfected,

heaped with with'ring scorn and filth;

Bloodstained, wash our crimson snowy,

one day, bloodstained, cleanse the earth.

Second dead at sin's insistence,

first of resurrection's sons,

least of all the right-hand earning,

Alpha and Omega, one!

Once a servant, heir of heaven:

occupying throne and hearts.

As your kingdom arms our spirits,

wrest our souls to Sabbath courts.

Jacob's lamb and Judah's lion,

gather us, your ransomed wealth,

'twixt your wings in rest eternal

where you lie down with yourself.

Triumph in your blood besprinkled,

bless us by that cursèd tree,

starve the grave, deny Gehenna,

wave your Name in victory!

7/13/12 A.M.D.G.

Ravus Caelum