Thinking about next Sunday's talk on the names of God... We're looking at Jehovah Tsidkenu. A memory came to me of my mum reciting McCheyne's beautiful poem. Yes, I know it's somewhat twee and possibly unsingable.... but I leave it with you to edify your soul and provoke your heartfelt worship...


I once was a stranger to grace and to God,

I knew not my danger; and felt not my load;

Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ on the tree,

Jehovah Tsidkenu was nothing to me.



I oft read with pleasure, to soothe or engage,

Isaiah’s wild measure and John’s simple page;

But even when they pictured the blood-sprinkled tree,

Jehovah Tsidkenu seemed nothing to me.



Like tears from the daughters of Zion that roll,

I wept when the waters went over His soul,

Yet thought not that my sins had nailed to the tree

Jehovah Tsidkenu — ’twas nothing to me.



When free grace awoke me by light from on high,

Then legal fears shook me, I trembled to die;

No refuge, no safety in self could I see —

Jehovah Tsidkenu my Saviour must be.



My terrors all vanished before the sweet name;

My guilty fear banished, with boldness I came

To drink at the fountain, life-giving and free—

Jehovah Tsidkenu is all things to me.



Jehovah Tsidkenu! My treasure and boast,

Jehovah Tsidkenu! I ne’er can be lost;

In Thee shall I conquer by flood and by field—

My cable, my anchor, my breastplate and shield!



Even treading the valley; the shadow of death,

This “watchword” shall rally my faltering breath;

For while from life’s fever my God sets me free,

Jehovah Tsidkenu my death-song shall be.

Robert Murray McCheyne