ADVENT.

130

8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8

Comfort, comfort ye My people,
Speak ye peace, thus saith your God;
Comfort those who sit in darkness,
Mourning ’neath their sorrow’s load;
Speak ye to Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them;
Tell her that her sins I cover,
And her warfare now is over.
2. For the Herald’s voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Bidding all men to repentance,
Since the kingdom now is here.
Oh, that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way!
Let the valleys rise to meet Him
And the hills bow down to greet Him.
3. Make ye straight what long was crooked,
Make the rougher places plain;
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits His holy reign;
For the glory of the Lord
Now o’er earth is shed abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token
That His Word is never broken.

J. Olearius, 1671; C. Winkworth, tr., 1862.

131

8, 7, 6 l

Jesus came, the heav’ns adoring,
Came with peace from realms on high;
Jesus came for man’s redemption,
Lowly came on earth to die;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Came in deep humility.
2. Jesus comes again in mercy,
When our hearts are bowed with care;
Jesus comes again in answer
To an earnest, heartfelt prayer;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Comes to save us from despair.
3. Jesus comes to hearts rejoicing,
Bringing news of sins forgiv’n;
Jesus comes in sounds of gladness,
Leading souls redeemed to heav’n;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Now the gate of death is riv’n.
4. Jesus comes in joy and sorrow,
Shares alike our hopes and fears;
Jesus comes, whate’er befalls us,
Glads our hearts and dries our tears;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Cheering e’en our failing years.
5. Jesus comes on clouds triumphant
When the heavens shall pass away;
Jesus comes again in glory,
Let us, then, our homage pay,
Alleluia! ever singing
Till the dawn of endless day.

G. Thring, 1864.

132

7, 6, 8 l

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed,
Great David’s greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed,
His reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
To set the captive free,
To take away transgression,
And rule in equity.
2. He comes with succor speedy
To those who suffer wrong,
To help the poor and needy,
And bid the weak be strong;
To give them songs for sighing,
Their darkness turn to light,
Whose souls, condemned and dying,
Were precious in His sight.
3. He shall come down like showers
Upon the fruitful earth;
And love, joy, hope, like flowers,
Spring in His path to birth.
Before Him on the mountains
Shall peace, the herald, go,
And righteousness, in fountains,
From hill to valley flow.
4. To Him shall prayer unceasing
And daily vows ascend,
His kingdom still increasing,
A kingdom without end.
The tide of time shall never
His covenant remove;
His name shall stand forever,—
That name to us is Love.

James Montgomery, 1821.

133

8, 7, 8, 7

Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding:
“Christ is nigh!” it seems to say;
“Cast away the dreams of darkness,
O ye children of the day!”
2. Startled at the solemn warning,
Let the earth-bound soul arise;
Christ, her Sun, all sloth dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.
3. Lo, the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from heav’n.
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all, to be forgiv’n.
4. So, when next He comes with glory,
Wrapping all the earth in fear,
With His mercy He may shield us
And with words of love draw near.

From the Latin (c. 5th cent.); E. Caswall, tr. 1849.

134

7, 6, 8 l

The Bridegroom soon will call us:
Come, all ye wedding-guests!
May not His voice appall us
While slumber binds our breasts!
May all our lamps be burning
And oil be found in store,
That we, with Him returning,
May open find the door!
2. There shall we see delighted
Our dear Redeemer’s face,
Who leads our souls benighted
To glory by His grace;
The patriarchs shall meet us,
The prophets’ holy band,
Apostles, martyrs, greet us
In that celestial land.
3. They will not blush to own us
As brothers, sisters dear,
Love ever will be shown us
When we with them appear.
We all shall come before Him
Who for us man became,
As Lord and God adore Him,
And ever bless His name.
4. Our Father, rich in blessing,
Will give us crowns of gold
And, to His bosom pressing,
Impart a bliss untold,
Will welcome with embraces
Of never-ending love,
And deck us with His graces
In blissful realms above.
5. In yonder home shall never
Be silent music’s voice;
With hearts and lips forever
We shall in God rejoice.
The angels shall adore Him,
All saints shall sing His praise,
And bring with joy before Him
Their sweetest heavenly lays.
6. In mansions fair and spacious
Will God the feast prepare
And, ever kind and gracious,
Bid us its riches share;
There bliss that knows no measure
From springs of love shall flow,
And never-changing pleasure
His bounty will bestow.
7. Thus God shall from all evil
Forever make us free,
From sin and from the devil,
From all adversity,
From sickness, pain, and sadness,
From troubles, cares, and fears,
And grant us heavenly gladness,
And wipe away our tears.

Johann Walther, † c. 1566.

135

7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7

Come, Thou precious Ransom, come!
Only Hope for sinful mortals!
Come, O Savior of the world!
Open are to Thee all portals;
Come, Thy beauty let us see:
Anxiously we wait for Thee.
2. O great King of Glory, come!
Let me be Thy living temple;
Enter Thou into my heart;
Though I am but poor and simple,
Yet my riches then shall be
That Thou reignest, Lord, in me.
3. My hosannas and my palms
Graciously receive, I pray Thee;
Evermore, as best I can,
Savior, I will homage pay Thee,
And in faith I will embrace,
Lord, Thy merit through Thy grace.
4. Hail! Hosanna! David’s Son,
Help, Lord, hear our supplication!
Let Thy kingdom, scepter, crown
Bring us blessing and salvation
That forever we may sing:
Hail! Hosanna! to our King.

J. G. Olearius, 1644; A. Crull, tr.

136

7, 6, 8 l

O Lord, how shall I meet Thee,
How welcome Thee aright?
All nations long to greet Thee,
My Hope, my heart’s Delight!
O kindle, dearest Jesus,
Thy lamp within my breast
That I may know what pleases
Thee, Lord, my heav’nly Guest.
2. Thy Zion strews before Thee
Green boughs and fairest palms,
And I, too, will adore Thee
With sweetest songs and psalms.
My heart shall bloom forever
For Thee with praises new
And from Thy name shall never
Withhold the honor due.
3. What hast Thou left ungranted
To give me glad relief?
When soul and body panted
In utmost depth of grief,
In deepest degradation,
Devoid of joy and peace,
Then Thou, my soul’s Salvation,
Didst come to bring release.
4. I lay in fetters groaning,
Thou com’st to set me free;
I stood, my shame bemoaning,
Thou com’st to honor me;
A glory Thou dost give me,
A treasure safe on high,
That will not fail or leave me
As earthly riches fly.
5. Naught, naught, dear Lord, could move Thee
To leave Thy rightful place
Save love, for which I love Thee;
A love that could embrace
A world where sorrow dwelleth,
Which sin and suffering fill,
More than the tongue e’er telleth;—
Yet Thou couldst love it still!
6. Rejoice, then, ye sad-hearted,
Who sit in deepest gloom,
Who mourn o’er joys departed
And tremble at your doom.
Despair not, He is near you,
Yea, standing at the door,
Who best can help and cheer you
And bid you weep no more.
7. No care nor effort either
Is needed day or night
How ye may draw Him hither
In your own strength and might.
He comes, He comes with gladness,
Moved by His love alone,
To calm your fear and sadness,
To Him they well are known.
8. Sin’s debt, that fearful burden,
Let not your souls distress;
Your guilt the Lord will pardon
And cover with His grace.
He comes, He comes, procuring
The peace of sin forgiv’n,
To all God’s sons securing
Their part and lot in heav’n.
9. Why should the wicked move you?
Heed not their craft and spite!
Your Savior, who doth love you,
Will scatter all their might.
He comes, a King most glorious,
And all His earthly foes
In vain His course victorious
Endeavor to oppose.
10. 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!

Paul Gerhardt, 1653.

137

S. M.

The Advent of our God
Our prayers must now employ,
And we must meet Him on His road
With hymns of holy joy.
2. The everlasting Son
Incarnate deigns to be;
Himself a servant’s form puts on
To set His people free.
3. Daughter of Zion, rise
And greet thy lowly King,
And do not wickedly despise
The mercies He will bring.
4. As Judge, in clouds of light,
He will come down again
And all His scattered saints unite
With Him in heaven to reign.
5. Before that dreadful day
May all our sins be gone;
May the old man be put away
And the new man put on!
6. Praise to the Savior Son
From the created host;
Like praise be to the Father done
And to the Holy Ghost.

John Chandler, 1837, a.

138

8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 6, 6

Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates!
Behold, the King of Glory waits;
The King of kings is drawing near,
The Savior of the world is here;
Life and salvation He doth bring,
Wherefore rejoice and gladly sing:
We praise Thee, Father, now,
Creator, wise art Thou!
2. The Lord is just, a Helper tried,
Mercy is ever at His side,
His kingly crown is holiness,
His scepter, pity in distress;
The end of all our woe He brings,
Wherefore the earth is glad and sings:
We praise Thee, Savior, now,
Mighty in deed art Thou!
3. O blest the land, the city blest,
Where Christ, the Ruler, is confessed!
O happy hearts and happy homes
To whom this King in triumph comes!
The cloudless Sun of Joy He is,
Who bringeth pure delight and bliss.
We praise Thee, Spirit, now,
Our Comforter art Thou!
4. Fling wide the portals of your heart,
Make it a temple set apart
From earthly use for heaven’s employ,
Adorned with prayer and love and joy;
So shall your Sovereign enter in
And new and nobler life begin.
To Thee, O God, be praise
For word and deed and grace!
5. Redeemer, come! I open wide
My heart to Thee; here, Lord, abide!
Let me Thy inner presence feel,
Thy grace and love in me reveal;
Thy Holy Spirit guide us on
Until our glorious goal be won!
Eternal praise and fame
We offer to Thy name.

G. Weissel, 1633; C. Winkworth, tr., a.

139

C. M.

Hark the glad sound! the Savior comes,
The Savior promised long;
Let every heart prepare a throne
And every voice a song.
2. He comes the prisoners to release,
In Satan’s bondage held;
The gates of brass before Him burst,
The iron fetters yield.
3. He comes from thickest films of vice
To clear the mental ray
And on the eyeballs of the blind
To pour the heav’nly day.
4. He comes the broken heart to bind,
The bleeding soul to cure
And with the treasures of His grace
T’ enrich the humble poor.
5. Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
Thy welcome shall proclaim.
And heaven’s eternal arches ring
With Thy beloved name.

Philip Doddridge, 1735.

140

L. M. (with Hall.)

Again is come the new church-year;
Rejoice, all Christians, far and near!
Thy King, O Zion, comes to Thee,
Therefore rejoice eternally!
Hallelujah!
2. Amongst us now anew are heard
The lessons of God’s gracious Word,
Which shows the way to life in heaven.
For this all praise to God be given!
Hallelujah!
3. May what is taught in Thy true Word
Increase our faith in Thee, O Lord,
And so abide in us that we
May render endless praise to Thee!
Hallelujah!

J. Olearius, 1671.

141

7s

Savior of the heathen, come,
Virgin’s Son, here make Thy home!
Wonder at it, heaven and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.
2. Not by human flesh and blood,
By the Spirit of our God
Was the Word of God made flesh—
Woman’s blossom, sweet and fresh.
3. Though the virgin was with child,
Chastity proved undefiled;
Many a virtue rare forth shone,
God was there upon His throne.
4. From the Father forth He came
And returned unto the same;
Down to hell He went alone
And again to God’s high throne.
5. Thou, the Father’s equal, win
Victory in the flesh o’er sin,
By Thy strength divine, O Lord,
Help to our frail flesh afford.
6. Lord, Thy manger is so bright,
Night sends forth a novel light;
Darkness must not enter there,
Faith abides in light fore’er.
7. Praise to God the Father sing,
Praise to God the Son, our King,
Praise to God the Spirit be
Ever and eternally.

From the Latin of Ambrose; Martin Luther, 1524, abr.

142

7, 6, 7, 6, 6, 7, 7, 6

Arise, sons of the kingdom!
The King is drawing nigh;
Arise and hail with gladness
The Ruler from on high.
Ye Christians, hasten forth!
Your praise and homage bring Him
And glad hosannas sing Him;
Naught else your love is worth.
2. Arise, ye drooping mourners!
The King is very near;
Away with grief and sorrow!
For, lo! your Help is here.
Behold, in many a place—
O blessed consolation!—
We find Him, our Salvation,
In His pure means of grace.
3. Now hear, ye bold transgressors,
The King full well gives heed
To all that ye are doing,
And to the life ye lead,
Enthralled by sin and hell;
There’s naught in all creation
Escapes His observation,
He marketh all things well.
4. Be righteous, ye His subjects,
The King is just and true;
Prepare for Him a highway,
Make all things straight and new.
He means all for our good;
Then let us bear the crosses
Which He Himself imposes
In an undaunted mood.
5. He nevermore forsaketh
A child that feels the rod,
Who Him his Refuge maketh
And puts his trust in God.
He is our sovereign King;
E’en death itself shall never
Those from their Master sever
Who to His mercy cling.
6. Arise, ye faint and fearful!
The King now comes with might;
His heart hath long since loved us,
He makes our darkness light.
Now are our sorrows o’er;
No wrath shall e’er befall us,
Since God in grace doth call us
His children evermore.
7. The King in grace remembers
His loved ones here below
With gifts of royal treasures,
Yea, doth Himself bestow
Through His blest Word and grace.
O King, arrayed in splendor,
To Thee all praise we’ll render
Here and there face to face.
8. O rich the gifts Thou bring’st us,
Thyself made poor and weak;
O Love beyond expression
That thus can sinners seek!
For this, O Lord, will we
Our joyous tribute bring Thee
And glad hosannas sing Thee
And ever grateful be.

J. Rist, 1651, abr.

143

6s 6 l

Once He came in blessing,
All our ills redressing,
Came in likeness lowly,
Son of God most holy;
Bore the cross to save us,
Hope and freedom gave us.
2. Still He comes within us,
Still His voice would win us
From the sins that hurt us;
Would to Truth convert us
From our foolish errors,
Ere He comes in terrors.
3. Thus, if thou hast known Him,
Not ashamed to own Him,
Nor dost love Him coldly,
But wilt trust Him boldly,
He will now receive thee,
Heal thee, and forgive thee.
4. He who well endureth
Bright reward secureth.
Come then, O Lord Jesus,
From our sins release us;
Let us here confess Thee
Till in heaven we bless Thee.

J. Horn (Roh), 1544; C. Winkworth, tr., 1862, a.

144

L. M.

Jesus, Thy Church with longing eyes
For Thine expected coming waits:
When will the promised light arise,
And glory beam from Zion’s gates?
2. E’en now, when tempests round us fall
And wintry clouds o’ercast the sky,
Thy words with pleasure we recall
And deem that our redemption’s nigh.
3. Come, gracious Lord, our hearts renew,
Our foes repel, our wrongs redress,
Man’s rooted enmity subdue,
And crown Thy Gospel with success.
4. O come and reign o’er every land;
Let Satan from his throne be hurled,
All nations bow to Thy command,
And grace revive a dying world.
5. Teach us in watchfulness and prayer
To wait for the appointed hour
And fit us by Thy grace to share
The triumphs of Thy conquering power.

W. H. Bathhurst, 1831.