Thy mighty love, O God, constraineth me, As some strong tide it presseth on its way, Seeking a channel in my self-bound soul, Yearning to sweep all barriers away. Shall I not yield to that constraining power? Shall I not say, O tide of love, flow in? My God, Thy gentleness hath conquered me, Life cannot be as it hath hither been. Break through my nature, mighty, heavenly love, Clear every avenue of thought and brain, Flood my affections, purify my will, Let nothing but Thine own pure life remain. Thus wholly mastered and possessed by God, Forth from my life, spontaneous and free, Shall flow a stream of tenderness and grace, Loving, because God loved, eternally.

Part 1: A certain man was going down From Jerusalem to Jericho, Getting farther away from God; To this place of curse he’d go. And as he went, among the robbers he fell Who stripped and beat him ’til he bled, And, having taken everything that he owned, They left him lying there half dead. A certain priest was also going down, On that same road to Jericho. He saw him and passed on the opposite side. A Levite did the same also. You know this man who was going down, This man is me; this man is you, Who living in our fallen life away from God Were beaten sore and bled from many wounds. We were stripped of all that we should have: Our virtue, honor, righteousness. We could not stand upright nor hold onto life; Toward God: no boldness nor access. Religious ones observing our poor estate Being the same could be no help. They passed us by, not daring to come close. We only heard we’d go to hell. As sinners under the law condemned, Which left us beaten and disgraced, We all were robbed and dying from so many hurts, From small transgressions to our sins so great. Part 2: (chorus) But a certain Good Samaritan, Despised, of Whom they said, “Don’t give me Jesus!” Bound up all our wounds, Pouring oil and wine upon them, Brought us to the inn and said, “Take care of him.” He had to take a journey to come down Just to reach us. Though God, He was so willing to become A human babe. He came through human living, Observed our dire condition, Then, moved with deep compassion, He died and rose to save! He came and bound our wounds up; He healed these damaged persons. He poured in oil and wine— His Spirit and His life divine. He placed us on His donkey To carry us so lowly, And brought us to the church life With blessing for our care. We love this dear Man-Savior, Divine One, fully human Whose tender care, so merciful And bountiful to save Condemned and dying sinners, Reveals the highest standard Of His morality seen in His precious, Saving grace. (Chorus twice, then last line last time) “Take care... And whatever you spend in addition on him When I return, I will repay you.”