The fear of God most high—

It is a holy fear;

It makes us pass through life as those

Who know their Lord is near.

The fear of sinful man—

’Tis a debasing fear,

Shame will be theirs who dare not brave

A censure or a sneer.

It was the fear of God

By which the Hebrews three

Undaunted met the tyrant’s frown—

Unmoved the flames could see.

It was the fear of man

Weak Pilate’s breast within,

That stained his hands with guiltless blood,

His soul with blackest sin.