Part 7
2. Crown Him, ye martyrs of our God, Who from His altar call; Extol the Stem of Jesse’s rod And crown Him Lord of all!
3. Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race, Ye ransomed from the Fall, Hail Him, who saves you by His grace, And crown Him Lord of all!
4. Hail Him, ye heirs of David’s line, Whom David Lord did call, The God incarnate, Man divine, And crown Him Lord of all!
5. Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget The wormwood and the gall, Go, spread your trophies at His feet, And crown Him Lord of all!
6. Let every kindred, every tribe, On this terrestrial ball To Him all majesty ascribe And crown Him Lord of all!
7. O that with yonder sacred throng We at His feet may fall, Join in the everlasting song, And crown Him Lord of all!
E. Perronet, 1780.
94
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Thou art the _Way_; to Thee alone From sin and death we flee; And he who would the Father seek, Must seek Him, Lord, by Thee.
2. Thou art the _Truth_; Thy Word alone True wisdom can impart; Thou only canst inform the mind And purify the heart.
3. Thou art the _Life_; the rending tomb Proclaims Thy conquering arm; And those who put their trust in Thee Nor death nor hell shall harm.
4. Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life; Grant us that Way to know, That Truth to keep, that Life to win, Whose joys eternal flow.
G. W. Doane, 1824.
95
8, 7, 8, 7
In the Cross of Christ I glory, Towering o’er the wrecks of time; All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime.
2. When the woes of life o’ertake me, Hopes deceive, and fears annoy, Never shall the Cross forsake me; Lo! it glows with peace and joy.
3. When the sun of bliss is beaming Light and love upon my way, From the Cross the radiance streaming Adds new luster to the day.
4. Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, By the Cross are sanctified; Peace is there that knows no measure, Joys that through all time abide.
John Bowring, 1825.
96
C. M.
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds In a believer’s ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear.
2. It makes the wounded spirit whole And calms the troubled breast; ’Tis manna to the hungry soul And to the weary, rest.
3. Dear name! the Rock on which I build My Shield and Hiding-place; My never-failing Treasury, filled With boundless stores of grace.
4. By Thee my prayers acceptance gain, Although with sin defiled: Satan accuses me in vain, And I am owned a child.
5. Jesus! my Shepherd, Guardian, Friend, My Prophet, Priest, and King, My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, Accept the praise I bring.
6. Weak is the effort of my heart And cold my warmest thought; But when I see Thee as Thou art, I’ll praise Thee as I ought.
7. Till then I would Thy love proclaim With every fleeting breath; And may the music of Thy name Refresh my soul in death.
John Newton, 1779.
97
8, 7, 8, 7
Jesus, Thou art mine forever, Dearer far than earth to me; Neither life nor death shall sever Those sweet ties which bind to Thee.
2. All were drear to me and lonely, If Thy presence gladdened not; While I sing to Thee, Thee only, Mine’s an ever blissful lot.
3. Thou alone art all my Treasure, Who hast died that I may live; Thou conferrest noblest pleasure, Who dost all my sins forgive.
4. Brightest gems and fairest flowers Lose their beauty in Thy frown; Joy and peace, like balmy showers, In Thy smile come gently down.
5. Jesus, Thou art mine forever, Suffer not myself to stray; Let me in my weakness never Cast my priceless pearl away.
6. Lamb of God, I do implore Thee, Guard, support me, lest I fall; Let me evermore adore Thee, Be my everlasting All!
M. Loy, 1863.
98
C. M.
Jesus, the very thought of Thee With sweetness fills the breast; But sweeter far Thy face to see And in Thy presence rest.
2. Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame, Nor can the memory find A sweeter sound than Thy blest name, O Savior of mankind!
3. O Hope of every contrite heart, O Joy of all the meek! To those who fall, how kind Thou art, How good to those who seek!
4. But what to those who find?—Ah! this Nor tongue nor pen can show; The love of Jesus, what it is, None but His loved ones know.
5. Jesus, our only Joy be Thou! As Thou our Prize wilt be; Jesus, be Thou our Glory now And through eternity!
Bernard of Clairvaux, † 1153; E. Caswall, tr., 1849, a.
99
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Chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed His blood for me; Died that I might live on high, Lived that I might never die; As the branch is to the vine, I am His, and He is mine.
2. O the height of Jesus’ love! Higher than the heavens above, Deeper than the depths of sea, Lasting as eternity; Love that found me,—wondrous thought!— Found me when I sought Him not.
3. Jesus only can impart Balm to heal the smitten heart; Peace that flows from sin forgiv’n, Joy that lifts the soul to heav’n; Faith and hope to walk with God, In the way that Enoch trod.
4. Chief of sinners though I be, Christ is all in all to me; All my wants to Him are known, All my sorrows are His own; Safe with Him from earthly strife, He sustains the hidden life.
5. O my Savior, help afford By Thy Spirit and Thy Word! When my wayward heart would stray, Keep me in the narrow way; Grace in time of need supply While I live and when I die.
Wm. McComb, 1848.
100
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Christ, whose glory fills the skies, Christ, the true, the only Light, Sun of Righteousness, arise, Triumph o’er the shades of night. Day-spring from on high, be near; Day-star, in my heart appear.
2. Dark and cheerless is the morn Unaccompanied by Thee; Joyless is the day’s return Till Thy mercy’s beams I see; Till they inward light impart, Cheer my eyes, and warm my heart.
3. Visit, then, this soul of mine, Pierce the gloom of sin and grief; Fill me, Radiancy Divine, Scatter all my unbelief; More and more Thyself display, Shining to the perfect day.
Charles Wesley, 1740.
101
C. M.
To our Redeemer’s glorious name Awake the sacred song! O may His love, immortal flame, Tune every heart and tongue!
2. His love, what mortal thought can reach! What mortal tongue display! Imagination’s utmost stretch In wonder dies away.
3. He left His radiant throne on high, Left the bright realms of bliss, And came to earth to bleed and die,— Was ever love like this?
4. Dear Lord, while we adoring pay Our humble thanks to Thee, May every heart with rapture say, “The Savior died for me!”
5. O may the sweet, the blissful theme Fill every heart and tongue Till strangers love the charming name And join the sacred song!
Anne Steele, 1760.
102
C. M.
Come, let us join our cheerful songs With angels round the throne. Ten thousand thousand are their tongues, But all their joys are one.
2. “Worthy the Lamb that died,” they cry, “To be exalted thus.” “Worthy the Lamb,” our lips reply, For He was slain for us.
3. Jesus is worthy to receive Honor and power divine; And blessings more than we can give, Be, Lord, forever Thine.
4. Let all that dwell above the sky, And air, and earth, and seas Conspire to lift Thy glories high And speak Thine endless praise!
5. The whole creation join in one To bless the sacred name Of Him that sits upon the throne, And to adore the Lamb.
Isaac Watts, 1707.
103
8, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7, 4, 8, 4, 8
O Morning Star, how fair and bright Thou beamest forth in truth and light! O Sovereign meek and lowly! Sweet Root of Jesse, David’s Son, My King and Bridegroom, Thou hast won My heart to love Thee solely! Lovely art Thou, Fair and glorious, All victorious, Rich in blessing, Rule and might o’er all possessing.
2. O King high-born, Pearl dearly won, True Son of God and Mary’s Son, Crown of exceeding glory! My heart calls Thee a Lily, Lord, Pure milk and honey is Thy Word, Thy sweetest Gospel-story. Rose of Sharon, Hail! hosanna! Heavenly Manna, Feed us ever; Lord, I can forget Thee never!
3. Clear Jasper, Ruby fervent red, Deep, deep into my heart now shed Thy love’s pure fire forever; Fill me with joy, grant me to be Thy member, closely joined to Thee, Whom naught from Thee may sever; Toward Thee longing Doth possess me: Come and bless me, For Thy gladness Eye and heart here pine in sadness.
4. But if Thou look on me in love, There straightway falls from God above A ray of purest pleasure; Thy Word and Spirit, flesh and blood, Refresh my soul with heavenly food, Thou art my hidden Treasure. Let Thy grace, Lord, Warm and cheer me, O draw near me; Thou hast taught us Thee to seek since Thou hast sought us.
5. Lord God, my Father, mighty Shield, Thou in Thy Son art all revealed As Thou hast loved and known me; Thy Son hath me with Him betrothed, In His own whitest raiment clothed, He for His bride will own me. Hallelujah! Life in heaven Hath He given, With Him dwelling, Still shall I His praise be telling.
6. Then touch the chords of harp and lute, Let no sweet music now be mute, But, joyously resounding, Tell of the marriage-feast, the bride, The heavenly Bridegroom at her side, Mid love and joy abounding. Shout for triumph, Loudly sing ye, Praises bring ye, Fall before Him, King of kings, let all adore Him!
7. Here rests my heart and holds it fast; The Lord I love is First and Last, The End and the Beginning. I welcome death, for I shall rise Through Him to His own Paradise, Above all tears and sinning. Amen! Amen! Come, Lord Jesus. Soon release us! With deep yearning, Lord, we look for Thy returning!
P. Nicolai, 1597; C. Winkworth, tr., a.
104
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Crown Him with many crowns, The Lamb upon His throne; Hark! how the heav’nly anthem drowns All music but its own; Awake, my soul, and sing Of Him who died for thee, And hail Him as thy matchless King Through all eternity.
2. Crown Him the Virgin’s Son, The God incarnate born, Whose arm those crimson trophies won Which now His brow adorn; Fruit of the mystic rose, As of that rose the stem; The root whence mercy ever flows, The Babe of Bethlehem.
3. Crown Him the Lord of love Behold His hands and side, Rich wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified. No angel in the sky Can fully bear that sight, But downward bends his wond’ring eye At mysteries so bright.
4. Crown Him the Lord of peace, Whose power a scepter sways From pole to pole, that wars may cease And all be prayer and praise. His reign shall know no end, And round His piercèd feet Fair flowers of paradise extend Their fragrance ever sweet.
5. Crown Him the Lord of years, The Potentate of time, Creator of the rolling spheres, Ineffably sublime. All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou hast died for me; Thy praise shall never, never fail Throughout eternity.
M. Bridges, 1851.
105
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I was a wandering sheep, I did not love the fold; I did not love my Shepherd’s voice, I would not be controlled; I was a wayward child, I did not love my home; I did not love my Father’s voice, I loved afar to roam.
2. The Shepherd sought His sheep, The Father sought His child; They followed me o’er vale and hill, O’er deserts waste and wild; They found me nigh to death, Famished and faint and lone; They bound me with the bands of love, They saved the wandering one.
3. Jesus my Shepherd is, ’Twas He that loved my soul, ’Twas He that washed me in His blood, ’Twas He that made me whole; ’Twas He that sought the lost, That found the wandering sheep; ’Twas He that brought me to the fold, ’Tis He that still doth keep.
4. I was a wandering sheep, I would not be controlled. But now I love my Shepherd’s voice, I love, I love, the fold. I was a wayward child, I once preferred to roam, But now I love my Father’s voice, I love, I love, His home.
H. Bonar, 1844.
106
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Jesus, Savior, come to me! Let me ever be with Thee; Come and nevermore depart, Thou who reignest in my heart.
2. Lord, for Thee I ever sigh, Nothing else can satisfy; ’Tis my constant cry to Thee: Jesus, Jesus, come to me!
3. Earthly joys can give no peace, Cannot bid my longing cease; But to have my Jesus near, This is perfect pleasure here.
4. All that makes the angels glad, In their garb of glory clad, Only fills me with distress If Thy presence do not bless.
5. Take Thou all away from me, I shall still thus minded be; Thou who madest me Thine own Shalt be e’er my Joy alone.
6. Lord, to none on earth beside Thee my heart I open wide; Enter Thou, possess it all, Thee alone mine own I call.
7. Thou alone, my God and Lord, Art my Glory and Reward; Thou hast bled for me and died, I will be no other’s bride.
8. Come, then, Lamb for sinners slain, Come and ease me of my pain; Evermore I cry to Thee: Jesus, Jesus, come to me!
9. Patiently I wait Thy Day; For this gift yet, Lord, I pray, That, when death shall come to me, My sweet Jesus Thou wilt be.
J. Scheffler, c. 1657.
107
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Jesus, Lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly, While the waters nearer roll, While the tempest still is high. Hide me, O my Savior, hide, Till the storm of life is past; Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last!
2. Other refuge have I none; Hangs my helpless soul on Thee; Leave, ah, leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me! All my trust on Thee is stayed, All my help from Thee I bring; Cover my defenseless head With the shadow of Thy wing.
3. Wilt Thou not regard my call? Wilt Thou not accept my prayer? Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall; Lo! on Thee I cast my care. Reach me out Thy gracious hand! While I of Thy strength receive, Hoping against hope I stand, Dying, and, behold, I live!
4. Thou, O Christ, art all I want; More than all in Thee I find. Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, Heal the sick, and lead the blind. Just and holy is Thy name; I am all unrighteousness: False and full of sin I am, Thou art full of truth and grace.
5. Plenteous grace with Thee is found, Grace to cover all my sin; Let the healing streams abound; Make and keep me pure within. Thou of life the Fountain art, Freely let me take of Thee; Spring Thou up within my heart, Rise to all eternity.
Charles Wesley, 1740.
108
C. M.
O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer’s praise, The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace!
2. My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim, To spread through all the earth abroad The honors of Thy name.
3. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease; ’Tis music in the sinner’s ears, ’Tis life and health and peace.
4. He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean; His blood avails for me.
5. Look unto Him, ye nations; own Your God, ye fallen race; Look and be saved through faith alone, Be justified by grace.
6. See all your sins on Jesus laid; The Lamb of God was slain; His soul was once an offering made For every soul of man.
7. Glory to God and praise and love Be ever, ever giv’n By saints below and saints above, The Church in earth and heav’n.
Charles Wesley, 1739.
109
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O friend of souls, how blest am I Whene’er Thy love my spirit calms! From sorrow’s dungeon forth I fly And hide me in Thy shelt’ring arms. The night of weeping flies away Before the heart-reviving ray Of love that beams from out Thy breast; Here is my heaven on earth begun. Who is not joyful that has won In Thee, O Lord, his joy and rest?
2. The world may call herself my foe, So be it; for I trust her not, E’en though a friendly face she show And heap with her good things my lot. In Thee alone will I rejoice, Thou art the Friend, Lord, of my choice, For Thou art true when friendships fail; Mid storms of woe Thy truth is still My anchor; hate me as she will, The world shall o’er me ne’er prevail.
3. The Law may threaten endless death From awful Sinai’s burning hill, Straightway from its consuming breath My soul through faith mounts higher still; She throws herself at Jesus’ feet And finds with Him a safe retreat, Where curse and death can never come. Though all foes threaten condemnation, Yet, Jesus, Thou art my Salvation, For in Thy love I find my home.
4. Through deserts of the cross Thou leadest; I follow, leaning on Thy hand; From out the clouds Thy child Thou feedest And giv’st him water from the sand. I know Thy wondrous ways will end In love and blessing, Thou true Friend; Enough, if Thou art ever near. I know whom Thou wilt glorify And raise o’er sun and stars on high, Thou lead’st through depths and darkness here.
5. To others death seems dark and grim, But not, Thou Life of life, to me. I know Thou ne’er forsakest him Whose heart and spirit rest in Thee. Oh, who would fear his journey’s close If from dark woods and lurking foes He then find safety and release? Nay, rather, with a joyful heart From this dark region I depart To Thy eternal light and peace.
6. O Friend of souls, then blest indeed Am I when on Thy love I lean! The world nor pain nor death I heed, Since Thou, my God, my Joy hast been. O let this peace that Thou hast giv’n Be but a foretaste of Thy heav’n, For goodness infinite is Thine. Hence, world, with all thy flattering toys! In God alone lie all my joys; O rich delight, my Friend is mine!
W. C. Dessler, 1692; C. Winkworth, tr., a.
GOD’S WORD.
110
L. M.
Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide, For round us falls the eventide; Let not Thy Word, that heavenly light, For us be ever veiled in night.
2. In these last days of sore distress Grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness, That pure we keep, till life is spent, Thy holy Word and Sacrament.
3. Lord Jesus, help, Thy Church uphold, For we are sluggish, thoughtless, cold; Indue Thy Word with power and grace And spread its truth in every place.
4. O keep us in Thy Word, we pray; The guile and rage of Satan stay; Unto Thy Church grant, Lord, Thy grace, Peace, concord, patience, fearlessness.
5. O God! how sin’s dread works abound! Throughout the earth no rest is found, And wide has falsehood’s spirit spread, And error boldly rears its head.
6. Those haughty spirits, Lord, restrain Who o’er Thy Church with might would reign And always offer something new, Devised to change Thy doctrine true.
7. And since the cause and glory, Lord, Are Thine, not ours, do Thou afford Us help and strength and constancy; With all our heart we trust in Thee.
8. A trusty weapon is Thy Word, Thy Church’s buckler, shield, and sword; Lord, let us in this Word abide, That we may seek no other guide.
9. O grant that in Thy holy Word We here may live and die, dear Lord; And when our journey endeth here, Receive us into glory there.
N. Selnecker, 1611 (3-9 anon.).
111
C. M.
How precious is the Book Divine, By inspiration given! Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine To guide our souls to heaven.
2. Its light, descending from above, Illumes this world so drear, Displays a Savior’s boundless love, And brings His glories near.
3. It shows to man his wandering ways And where his feet have trod, And brings to view the matchless grace Of a forgiving God.
4. O’er all the straight and narrow way Its radiant beams are cast; A light whose never weary ray Grows brightest at the last.
5. It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts In this dark vale of tears; Life, light, and joy it still imparts And quells our rising fears.
6. This lamp, through all the tedious night Of life shall guide our way Till we behold the clearer light Of an eternal day.
J. Fawcett, 1782, abr.
112
C. M.
How shall the young secure their hearts And guard their lives from sin? Thy Word the choicest rules imparts To keep the conscience clean.
2. ’Tis like the sun, a heavenly light, That guides us all the day, And through the dangers of the night A lamp to lead our way.
3. The starry heavens Thy rule obey, The earth maintains her place; And these Thy servants, night and day, Thy skill and power express.
4. But still Thy Law and Gospel, Lord, Have lessons more divine; Not earth stands firmer than Thy Word, Nor stars so nobly shine.
5. Thy Word is everlasting truth; How pure is every page! That holy Book shall guide our youth And well support our age.
Isaac Watts, 1719.
113
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O Word of God Incarnate, O Wisdom from on high, O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky,— We praise Thee for the radiance That from the hallowed page, A lantern to our footsteps, Shines on from age to age.
2. The Church from her dear Master Received the gift divine, And still that light she lifteth O’er all the earth to shine. It is the golden casket, Where gems of truth are stored; It is the heaven-drawn picture Of Christ, the living Word.
3. It floateth like a banner Before God’s host unfurled; It shineth like a beacon Above the darkling world; It is the chart and compass That o’er life’s surging sea, Mid mists and rocks and quicksands, Still guides, O Christ, to Thee.
4. Oh, make Thy Church, dear Savior, A lamp of burnished gold, To bear before the nations Thy true light as of old; Oh, teach Thy wandering pilgrims By this their path to trace, Till, clouds and darkness ended, They see Thee face to face.
W. W. How, 1867, a.
114
L. M.
The heavens declare Thy glory, Lord, In every star Thy wisdom shines; But when our eyes behold Thy Word, We read Thy name in fairer lines.