By righteousness was I condemned

By righteousness was I condemned

When I was lost in pain and sin;

When Christ redeemed me by His blood

Thy righteousness gave peace within.

O God

Thy righteousness condemned

My Savior to the cross to die;

Yet now to us Thy righteousness

Grants peace

forgives

and justifies.

Righteousness ruled all debts be paid;

Yet

also

righteousness forbade

That when accounts were fully paid

Again collection could be made.

Now that my Lord His blood has shed

You cannot sentence Him again

Nor ask me further recompense

Can but forgive and fully cleanse.

When first I heard of righteousness

Fearful

I sought to hide from thence

But at its mention now I sense

Such sweetness and such preciousness.

Since I have known Thy righteousness

Thy grace I can more clearly see;

Thy righteousness gives wondrous rest

Thy grace supplies and comforts me.