233. O how shall I receive Thee

1 O how shall I receive Thee,
How greet Thee, Lord, aright?
All nations long to see Thee,
My hope, my heart's delight!
O kindle, Lord, most holy,
Thy lamp within my breast,
To do in spirit lowly
All that may please Thee best.

2 Thy Zion palms is strewing,
And branches fresh and fair;
My heart, its powers renewing,
An anthem shall prepare.
My soul puts off her sadness
Thy glories to proclaim:
With all her strength and gladness
She fain would serve Thy name.

3 I lay in fetters groaning;
Thou comest to set me free!
I stood, my shame bemoaning,
Thou comest to honor me;
A glory Thou dost give me,
A treasure safe on high,
That will not fail nor leave me,
As earthly riches fly.

4 Love caused Thy incarnation,
Love brought Thee down to me.
Thy thirst for my salvation
Procured my liberty.
O love beyond all telling,
That led Thee to embrace,
In love all love excelling,
Our lost and fallen race!

5 Rejoice then, ye sad-hearted,
Who sit in deepest gloom,
Who mourn o'er joys departed,
And tremble at your doom:
He who alone can cheer you,
Is standing at the door;
In pity He is near you,
And bids you weep no more.

6 Ye who, with guilty terror,
Are trembling, fear no more;
With love and grace the Saviour
Shall you to hope restore.
He comes to heal the spirit
That mourneth, sin-oppressed,
He comes, that we inherit
Eternal joy and rest.

7 He comes to judge the nations,
A terror to His foes,
A light of consolations
And blessed hope to those
Who love the Lord's appearing:
O glorious Sun, now come,
Send forth Thy beams so cheering
And guide us safely home!

Text Information
First Line: O how shall I receive Thee
German Title: Hvorledes skal jeg möde
Meter: 7, 6.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1898
Topic: TheChurch Year: Advent; Christ: Second Advent of; Doubt and Fear
Notes: P. Gerhardt, 1655. Tr. Comp.
Tune Information
Name: O SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED
Composer: H. L. Hasler (1601)
Meter: 7, 6.
Key: C Major
Notes: Norwegian tune name: [Mig hjertelig nu længes]



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