This second hymn in the believer’s hymnbook, is a wonderful follow-up to hymn number one. After approaching our Father, do we not long to adore Him?
“Abba, Father! we adore Thee, Humbly now our homage pay; ‘Tis Thy children’s bliss to know Thee, welcomed through the Living Way. This high honour we inherit, Thy free gift through Jesus’ blood; God the Spirit, with our spirit, witnesseth we’re sons of God.

Thine own purpose gave us being, when in Christ, in that vast plan, Thou in Christ didst choose They people E’en before the world began. Oh, what love the Father bore us! Oh, how precious in Thy sight! When Thou gav’st Thy Church to Jesus, Jesus, Son of Thy delight.

Though our nature’s fall in Adam shut us wholly out from God, Thine eternal counsel brought us nearer still, through Jesus’ blood; For in Him we found redemption, Grace and glory in Thy Son; Oh, the height and depth of mercy! Christ and His redeemed are one.

Hence, through all the changing seasons, Trouble, sickness, sorrow, woe, Nothing changeth God’s affections, Love divine shall bring us through; Soon shall all Thy blood-bought children round the throne their anthems raise, And, in songs of rich salvation, Shout to God’s eternal praise.

Comments – another well thought through hymn. Texts brought to mind – John 14:6 – Christ the only way; Romans 8 – the Spirit testifying with our spirit; Ephesians 1 – God’s choice before the creation of the world; Romans 5:8, Ephesians 5:22-31 God’s love & Christ’s love for the Church; Ephesians 2 – our natural state & God’s marvelous grace; Romans 8 – nothing separating us from the love of God.

Through this hymn I am reminded of a dear old saint, Sam Phillips, an older member at High Park Baptist, who now has joined the congregants “round the throne their anthems raise.” Sam shared with me an outline of Ephesians 2 which I have remembered to this day – here it is -
“What I am by nature – what I am by grace,
What I’ll be in glory – and how the change took place!”

My mom, whose hymnbook I am using, and my dad were two of God’s blood-bought children who through the Scriptures, family worship and regular attendance at a gospel preaching church, whom God used to bring me to faith in Jesus Christ.

P.S. This song and the first can be sung to the tune “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling!”
A useful link for Believer’s Hymnbook”