Jesus, and shall it ever be,
A mortal man, ashamed of Thee?
Ashamed of Thee, whom angels praise,
Whose glories shine through endless days?
Ashamed of Jesus! sooner far
Let night disown each radiant star!
’Tis midnight with my soul, till He,
Bright Morning Star, bid darkness flee.
Ashamed of Jesus! O as soon
Let morning blush to own the noon!
He sheds the beams of light divine
O’er this benighted soul of mine.
Ashamed of Jesus! that dear Friend
On Whom my hopes of Heav’n depend!
No; when I blush, be this my shame,
That I no more revere His Name.
Ashamed of Jesus! yes, I may
When I’ve no guilt to wash away;
No tear to wipe, no good to crave,
No fears to quell, no soul to save.
Ashamed of Jesus! empty pride!
I’ll boast a Saviour crucified,
And O may this my portion be,
My Saviour not ashamed of me!
Joseph Grigg (circa 1720-1768)
We sing this to the tune BROOKFIELD by Thomas B. Southgate (1814-1868). You can hear the tune at Cyberhymnal (though this page has a different hymn’s text).
Love that hymn. So convicting and substantive.
Thanks, JP.
We had never sung this one when we included it in our hymn book. One of the people in the church requested it, even though nobody knew it, because the words were powerful.