105. Judica Hymn

This hymn is for the fifth Sunday in Lent, the mass whereof is called Judica after the opening of the Latin introit from Psalm 43:1-2, "Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! For You are the God of my strength." The Scripture readings for Judica are Hebrews 9:11-15 and John 8:46-59. Like most of my hymns, I wrote this with no particular tune in mind.

When Christ our high priest had come forth
He entered through that perfect tent
Not made with hands, nor of this earth,
Through God's eternal Spirit sent.
With His own blood of spotless birth
Into the holy place He went;
A sacrifice of perfect worth
He gave for all as testament.

For certain men the priests of old
Took certain blood at certain times
And, as they were in Scripture told,
Made sacrifice for certain crimes.
Now Christ, at hour and place foretold,
Approached the Father's heavenly shrine,
Died once for all, that all might hold
A conscience cleansed by grace divine.

Now therefore, which of us would dare
Accuse God's very Son of sin?
He who is God's, God's word will hear;
He who would live must take it in.
As Abram hoped to see his share
And from afar rejoiced therein,
We trust our Mediator fair
To plead our cause, to plead and win.

For Your name's honor, holy Sire;
For Your sake, slain and risen Lamb;
And You, bright cleansing heavenly Fire,
With them together, one I AM,
We beg You, grant our heart's desire:
Remove the sins that cling and damn;
Clear us of guilt; turn back Your ire;
Apply Your righteousness to man!

EDIT: Here's an original tune for this hymn, titled JUDICA.