Himself He
Could Not Save

Himself He could not save,
He on the cross must die,
Or mercy cannot come
To ruined sinners nigh;
Yes, Christ, the Son of God, must bleed,
That sinners might from sin be freed.

Himself He could not save,
For justice must be done;
And sin's full weight must fall
Upon a sinless one;
For nothing less can God accept,
In payment for the fearful debt.

Himself He could not save,
For He the surety stood
For all who now rely
Upon His precious blood;
He bore the penalty of guilt,
When on the cross His blood was spilt.

Himself He could not save,
Yet now a Saviour He:
Come, sinner, to Him come,
He waits to welcome thee;
Believe in Him, and thou shalt prove
His saving power, His deathless love.

Albert Midlane, 1865
No. 532 in Spurgeon's Our Own Hymnbook
May be sung to the tune "Lenox",
otherwise known as "Arise, My Soul Arise".  
Repeat second to last line.

Matthew 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save...

John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

 

graphics and background by Mary Stephens
CA
updated 2019