Broken Brass

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy… for He hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder” (Psalm 107:2,16).  “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD” (Proverbs 21:30).  “The chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.  Command therefore that the sepulcher be made sure until the third day… Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.  So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch” (Matthew 27:62-66). 

The bars of our prison which once held us in

Could not have been broken by human endeavor.
Our Lord Jesus Christ has redeemed from sin:
O let us proclaim it both now and forever!

Our wonderful Savior advanced against hell,

Though hell stood against Him with all of its might:
Behold how the gates of our prison house fell
By Christ who then flooded our dungeon with light!

How vain was the counsel and purpose of men

That sought to restrain Jesus Christ in the grave!
O let the redeemed of the Lord say again
That Jesus is risen and lives now to save!

The promise of Christ had been so clearly spoken,

Declaring that He would arise in three days: 
Behold how the seal of Rome has been broken!
O let the redeemed of the Lord give Him praise! 

Those great iron bars have been broken asunder,

And hell’s gates of brass by our Lord have been stormed.
The promise was sure!  O how great was the blunder
Of those who supposed it would not be performed!

O Lord, we give thanks for the beauty we see

In love from Your heart that could not be restrained. 
You knew what the cost of salvation would be;
You saw what the cup of our judgment contained. 

Lord, what can we say now, in view of Your love? 

Lord, how can we thank You for what You have done?
Both now and forever and ever above,
Receive, Lord, completely our hearts You have won.