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.