CLOTHING

Marred by rebellion, which God loathed,

And cast out by their sin

Adam and Eve still go out clothed

By God in coats of skin.

So though we all display sin’s taint

By habit and by birth

We may go forth without restraint

Clothed in the Saviour’s worth.

The younger son was steeped in wrongs

God could not but detest -

The Father shows where he belongs

And clothes him in His best.

And thus repentant sinners find,

Though consciously undone,

God’s every act towards them is kind -

He clothes them in His Son.

Though merely human goodness drags

The priest’s clothes in the mire

God substitutes for filthy rags

His festival attire -

Outwith the range of Satan’s barb

We stand before God’s face

In pure and splendid priestly garb

Made suitable through grace.

The elders sit around the throne

Each clothed in robes of white,

Secured by God to be His own

And dwell with Him in light:

All thought of variation past

Through Christ they are complete;

They bow before the throne and cast

Their crowns before His feet.