Service Book and Hymnal of the Lutheran Church in America ‎#11

11. 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 heart, its powers renewing,
An anthem shall prepare.
With all her strength and gladness
She fain would serve thy Name.

3 Love caused thine 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.

4 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;
He brings his pity near you,
And bids you weep no more.

Text Information

• First Line: O how shall I receive thee
• Author: Paul Gerhardt, 1607 - 76
• Translator: Composite
• Meter: 7 6, 7 6. D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1958
• Topic: The Church Year: Advent

Tune Information

• Name: ST. THEODULPH (VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN)
• Composer: Melchior Teschner, 1584 - 1635
• Meter: 7 6, 7 6. D.
• Key: C Major