1 The Word was very God
before creation came;
in the beginning was the Word
and Jesus is his name.

2 That Word which some deny
and others make a joke:
he is the Word whom we adore,
the Word the Father spoke.

3 The love we owe to him
above all things on earth
will be the greater, since as man
he seemed so little worth.

4 The more his name is scorned
and unbelievers jest,
so much the brighter shines his truth,
the Godhead manifest.

5 What some revile as lies,
impossible, malign,
he plainly shows is possible,
most certain, and divine.

6 And on the cross, his shame,
his utter nothingness,
is that which overcomes the world
and all the world shall bless.

Christopher Idle from Athanasius
© Christopher Idle/Jubilate Hymns Ltd
SM

CCL# 3744949