Sinful and wretched one, what canst thou glory,
Who, for thy sin, stoodest justly condemned,
But that the Lord, ere Creation, foreknew thee,
Did for thy guilt His atonement send?
Though thou despised Him, yet did He save thee:
'Twas not of thee nor of deeds thou hadst done;
Great is His grace, and He gave it thee freely,
Cleansed thee of wickedness, made thee son.
Kept of the Blessed One, what can destroy thee?
Who thine adoption shall render it null?
Thou hast been sealed of the Lord, unto glory;
Thou of His Spirit hast been made full.
Worm that a son wast made, that shalt thou glory!
Boast in thy Father's unfath'mable love!
Speak to the world His immeas'rable mercy;
Bid men pray God wrath and sin remove.
—8/8/2010. To “Russian Hymn.”
