1 In ancient times the law of God
In letter was engraved on stone;
But now it is a law of life,
Which in our heart is written down.
2 The law in letters good demands
And thus our utter weakness shows;
But now the law of life sustains,
And strength for God to please bestows.
3 The law in letters brings to us
God's knowledge only outwardly;
But now the law of life supplies
A deeper knowledge inwardly.
4 The law in letters can but rule
By dead commandments outwardly;
But now the law of life controls
By living knowledge inwardly.
5 This living law is moving now
In all of our experience,
To regulate us from within
And check us by our inner sense.
6 How deep its regulation is
Within the inmost part of us,
A living consciousness to give,
And God Himself impart to us.
7 'Tis by this living law of life
We need no teaching outwardly,
For all God's living knowledge now
This law will teach us inwardly.
8 Lord, teach us by this law to walk,
Its inner ruling to obey,
That we may of Thyself partake
And know Thee in a living way.