What would compel me

My mouth to open

Words unwanted

To hearts warped and broken?

 

Why give at great price

What nobody wants

Message of rescue

Answered only with taunts?

 

Give at great price

For at great price it was given

Salvation unwanted

To those by rebellion driven

 

I speak for he spoke

And by a miracle I heard

A voice irresistible

Conviction for the first time occurred

 

Like that Traveller to Damascus

What I did not seek sought me

My eyes were opened

To see one nailed to a tree

 

Dread filled my heart

The fear of the Lord it is called

A new thirst, a fresh hunger

By my state grew appalled

 

Undeserving of love

Love I know knew

Through words unwanted

When I saw him called True

 

Like the beauty of Dachstein

As Everest’s peak

The vision before me

Compelled me to speak

 

What I did not want

To others now proclaim

The glory of love

Christ Jesus his name

 

Wretched beyond belief

Gross beyond description

Hating all good

Yet he brought to me redemption

 

What compelled him was love

This controls me too

“Be reconciled to God!

He took all your due!”

 

If his love you now know

You will have affections bright

Speaking to listless rebels

Him who brought you from darkness to light