1 The law commands and makes us know
What duties to our God we owe;
But 'tis the gospel must reveal
Where lies our strength to do his will.

2 The law uncovers guilt and sin,
And shews how vile our hearts have been;
The gospel only can express
Forgiving love and cleansing grace.

3 What curses doth the law denounce
Against the one who fails but once?
But in the gospel Christ appears,
Pard'ning the guilt of num'rous years.

4 My soul, no more attempt to draw
Thy life and comfort from the law!
Fly to the hope the gospel gives:
The man who trusts the promise lives.