Hymn: He Is Altogether Lovely

My friend, Justin Taylor at Between Two Worlds, initially published this hymn on his blog last Christmas shortly after I penned it. This is one of my favorites and I figured is over due for being posted here. It is based off of Jonathan Edwards' sermons "The Excellency Of Christ" from Revelation 5:5-6 in which he discusses the "admirable conjunction of diverse excellencies in Christ."

It fits well to the tune HYFRYDOL, which, in fitting with the topic, means "pleasant" in Welsh (or so I'm told).

He Is Altogether Lovely

He is altogether lovely,
Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord.
We delight to see His glory
As unfolded in His Word.
In one person are conjoining
Attributes diverse and grand.
The eternal God and Maker,
In the flesh and form of man.

High, we see the Lion of Judah
Coming in His might to reign.
Low, we see Him condescending
As the Lamb who would be slain.
Perfect justice, endless glory,
And unrivaled majesty
Meet transcendent grace and meekness,
Perfect in humility.

One and equal with the Father,
Absolute in sov’reignty,
He resigns in full submission;
Deepest rev’rence bends His knee.
He, whose is supreme dominion,
Does obey His Father’s will.
He, the self-sufficient fountain,
Trusts in God His needs to fill.

He is worthy of all honor.
He is worthy of all praise.
Yet with patience in His suff’rings,
No complaint do His lips raise.
He, our Judge, the Lion of Judah,
Is our Savior and God’s Lamb.
He is altogether lovely,
Jesus Christ, the great I AM!

Text: © Eric Schumacher (1976 - )
Tune: Hyfrydol, 8.7.8.7.D., Rowland H. Prichard (1811-1887)

As always, permission granted to reprint for non-salable, temporary worship media.