Scarce tongue can speak, ne'er human ken

The myst'ry could discover,

That God, from His high throne to men

Makes known the world all over:

That He alone is King above

All other gods whatever,

Great, mighty, faithful, full of love,

His saints doth aye deliver,

One substance but three persons!

God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

The name thrice holy given,

On earth by all the ransom'd host,

And by the hosts of heaven.

He's Abraham's and Isaac's God,

And Jacob's whom He knoweth,

The Lord of Hosts, who every good

Both night and day bestoweth,

Who only doeth wonders!

His Son, from all eternity

Begotten hath the Father,

Who came as man, when God's decree

Had fix'd, His sheep to gather.

The Holy Ghost eternally,

While all Their glory sharing,

Their honour, pow'r, and majesty,

A crown all equal wearing,

Proceeds from Son and Father!

Be glad, my heart! thy portion see,

Thy rich unequall'd treasure,

He is thy Friend, supply will He

Thy needs with bounteous measure.

Who made thee in His image fair

Thy load of guilt removeth,

Gives thee His chosen's faith to share,

Thy Joy in sorrow proveth,

Through His own word most holy.

Bestir thyself, with all thy heart

Thy God to know endeavour:

Sweet rest such knowledge will impart,

Thy soul with pure love ever

Will cause to glow, and nourish thee

For life and joy in heaven;

Things heard of only here, shall be

To open sight there given,

By God to His dear children.

Woe! woe! to the besotted crew

In wilful blindness living,

Rejecting God, the honour due

To Him, to creatures giving.

The time will come when close shall He

'Gainst them the door of heaven;

Who God drive from them here, shall be

By Him hereafter driven,

From His high throne most holy!

O Prince of might! Thy mercy show,

Thou God of earth and heaven,

To every sinner here below

May saving grace be given!

Bring back Thy sheep who go astray,

And blinded eyes enlighten,

And turn Thou every thing away

That wickedly might frighten

Thine own, whose faith is feeble.

Grant this, that we Thy people may

All reach the heav'nly portals,

And in Thy kingdom sing for aye,

'Mid all the bless'd immortals:

That Thou above art King alone

All other gods high over,

The Father, Son, and Spirit, One,

Thy people's Shield and Cover,

One substance but three persons!

Why without, then, art Thou staying,

Blessed of the Lord from far?

Enter now, no more delaying,

Let it please Thee—Thou, my Star!

Thou, my Jesus, Friend indeed,

Helper in the hour of need!

Saviour! ease the wounds that pain me,

Let Thy comforts rich sustain me.

Lord, my wounds are pain and sorrow,

That the hammer of the law

With its terrors, night and morrow,

Causeth, filling me with awe.

Oh! the dreadful thunder peals

When His anger God reveals,

All my blood to tingle making,

And my heart's foundation shaking!

Then with wiles the great deceiver

Would to me all grace deny,

Saying, in the hell for ever

That torments him, I must be.

But I suffer sorer pangs,

For with poison'd serpent fangs

Doth my conscience gnawing, tearing,

Stir remorse beyond all bearing.

Do I seek my woe to soften,

And to lessen pain desire,

With the world commingling often,

Sink I quite into the mire.

There is comfort that deceives,

Joy that by my mischance lives,

Helpers there who only grieve me,

Friends who only mock and leave me.

Nothing in the world endureth,

Or the soul's thirst can allay;

Fleeting is the rank that lureth.

Have I riches? What are they

Better than small dust of earth?

Have I pleasure? What's it worth?

What to-day my heart doth gladden,

That to-morrow doth not sadden?

Comfort, joy, in boundless measure,

Stor'd, Lord Jesus, are in Thee,

Pastures of unfading pleasure,

Where we roam and feast so free.

Light of joy! illumine me

Ere my heart quite broken be!

Jesus, let mine eyes behold Thee;

Lord, refresh me and uphold me!

Heart, rejoice, for He doth hear thee,

And He visits thee again;

Now thy Saviour draweth near thee,

Bid Him gladsome welcome then,

And prepare thee for thy guest,

Enter thou into His rest,

While with open heart receiving,

Tell Him all that is thee grieving.

Lo! the things that seem'd to hinder

How they all fall out for good.

Hark! how He in accents tender

Comforts thee in gracious mood.

Ceas'd the dragon has to roar,

Scheming, raging, now no more.

His advantages forsake him,

He must to th' abyss betake him.

Now thy life is calm and even,

All thy heart's desire is thine;

Christ Himself to thee hath given

All He hath—exhaustless mine!

His grace is thy fairest crown,

Thou His seat art and His throne;

With Himself as one He makes thee,

Freely to His bosom takes thee.

God His golden-curtain'd Heaven

Spreadeth to encompass thee!

Lest thou shouldst away be driven

By thy raging enemy.

Angel hosts keep watch and ward

At thy side and are thy guard;

Lest in journeys aught should hurt thee,

By the way their arms support thee.

All the ill thou hast done ever

It is now remitted quite;

God's love thee doth now deliver

From sin's tyrant pow'r and might.

Christ the Prince hath won the day,

Rise against thee what ill may,

He, to purest good converting,

Robbeth of the pow'r of hurting.

All for thine advantage proveth,

E'en what hurtful may appear.

Christ accepteth thee and loveth,

And His thoughts are all sincere.

Thou in turn but faithful be,

Then shall certainly by thee,

With the angel hosts in Heaven,

Thanks and praise for aye be given.

Say with what salutations

Shall I Thine advent greet?

Desire of all the nations,

My Joy and Succour meet!

O Jesus! Jesus! lead me

On by Thy blessèd light;

What's Thy delight thus guide me

To understand aright.

With palms doth Zion meet Thee,

Spreads branches in the way;

To raise my soul to greet Thee

Glad psalms I'll sing to-day.

My heart shall blossom ever,

O'erflow with praises new,

And from Thy name shall never

Withhold the honour due.

What hast Thou e'er neglected

For my good here below?

When heart and soul dejected,

Were sunk in deepest woe,

When from Thy presence hidden,

Where peace and pleasure are,

Thou camest, and hast bidden

Me joy again, my Star!

In bitter bondage lying,

Thou com'st and sett'st me free;

'Neath scorn and shame when sighing,

Thou com'st and raisest me.

Thy grace high honour gives me,

Abundance doth bestow,

That wastes not, nor deceives me

As earthly riches do.

No other impulse led Thee

To leave Thy throne above,

Upon Thine errand sped Thee,

But world-embracing love!

A love that deeply feeleth

The wants and woes of men,

No tongue its fulness telleth,

It passeth human ken.

In thy heart be this written,

Thou much afflicted band!

Who evermore art smitten

With griefs on every hand.

Fear not! let nothing grieve thee,

For help is at thy door,

He'll consolation give thee,

Oil in thy wounds will pour.

No care nor effort either

Is needed day and night,

How thou may'st draw Him hither

In thine own strength and might.

He comes, He comes with gladness!

O'erflows with love to thee,

To chase away the sadness

He knows oppresseth thee.

Sin's debt, the mighty burden

Let not thy heart affright;

The Lord will freely pardon,

His grace will cover quite.

He comes! He comes! Salvation

Proclaiming everywhere,

Secures His chosen nation

Their heritage so fair!

Thy foes why should they move thee?

Their wiles and rage are vain,

Thy Saviour, who doth love thee,

Will scatter them again.

He comes! a Conq'ror glorious,

He'll scatter every band

Of foes—His course victorious

Too few they're to withstand.

He comes to judge each nation;

Who curs'd Him, curse shall He;

With grace and consolation,

Who lov'd, receiv'd shall be.

Oh! come, Thou Sun, and lead us

To everlasting light,

Up to Thy mansions guide us

Of glory and delight.

Behold! behold! what wonder's here!

The gloomy night turns bright and clear,

A brilliant light dispels the shade,

The stars before it pale and fade.

A wondrous light it is, I trow,

And not the ancient sun shines now,

For, contrary to nature, night

Is turned by it to day so bright.

What means He to announce to us,

Who nature's course can alter thus?

A mighty work design'd must be

When such a mighty sign we see.

To us vouchsafèd can it be

The Sun of Righteousness to see,

The Star from Jacob's stem so bright,

The woman's Seed, the Gentiles' Light?

'Tis even so—for from the sky

Heav'n's hosts with joyful tidings hie,

That He is born in Bethl'hem's stall,

Who Saviour is and Lord of all!

Oh blessedness! the goodly throng

Of sainted fathers waited long

To see this day, with hope deferr'd,

As we may learn from God's own word.

Awake, ye sons of men, awake!

Up! up! and now your journey take

With me, let us together go

To where the blessèd angels show.

Behold! there in yon gloomy stall

He lies who ruleth over all;

Where once their food the cattle sought,

The Virgin's child for rest is brought.

Oh, child of Adam! ponder well,

And stumble not at what I tell,

He who appears in this low state

For us is, and aye shall be great.

In mortal flesh we Him behold,

Who all things made and doth uphold,

The Word who was with God is He,

Himself is God whom now we see.

It is God's sole-begotten Son

Through whom we now approach His throne,

The First and Last, the Prince of Peace,

The Conqueror through whom wars cease.

The times predicted are fulfill'd,

God's fiery wrath must now be still'd;

His Son, made man, doth bear our load

Of guilt, our peace buys with His blood.

It is a time of joy to-day,

With mourning and with woe away!

Woe, woe to him who us revil'd!

God's seen in flesh—we're reconcil'd.

The Lord who bears our sin is here,

Who'll bruise the serpent's head is near,

The Death of death—the Woe of hell—

The Lord of Life with us doth dwell.

All foes are put our feet beneath,

For sin and Satan, hell and death,

Are brought to shame and put to flight

Upon this great, this wondrous night.

Oh! happy world, thrice happy they!

Who on this lowly infant stay

Their souls, and with believing eyes

In Him their Saviour recognize.

Now praise the Lord whoe'er can praise,

Who from their low estate to raise

His enemies, from His high throne

Sent down His lov'd, His only Son.

Up! join the angel host and cry,

Now glory be to God most High;

Let peace prevail the world around,

Good-will to men and joy abound.

Now with joy my heart is bounding,

With delight

Angels bright

Praises forth are sounding.

Hark! hark! how the choirs of Heaven,

Through the sky

Raise the cry,

Christ to you is given!

He who's mighty to deliver,

Goes that He

Earth may free

From all woes for ever.

God is man, man to deliver,

His dear Son

Now is one

With our blood for ever.

God in us must now take pleasure,

For He gives

Whom He loves

Far beyond all measure.

To redeem us He hath given

His own Son

From the throne

Of His might in Heaven.

Who Himself and Kingdom ever,

Giveth free,

Oh! could He

Drive us from Him?—never!

Will not God's own Son now bless us?

He who loves

And removes

All things that distress us!

Had our human nature ever

By the Lord

Been abhorr'd,

He had been man never.

Had our Lord delighted ever

In our grief,

He relief

Would have brought us never.

All transgression He assumeth,

That we've done

'Neath the sun,

And our Lamb becometh.

As our Lamb His life is given,

So that we,

From death free,

May have peace and Heaven!

Now He's in the manger lying,

Me and thee

Calleth He,

In sweet accents crying,

“Banish, brethren, what's distressing,

All your ills,

All that falls,

I bring times of blessing.”

Come, and let us now go thither,

Let us all,

Great and small.

Flock in crowds together.

Love Him who with deep love burneth,

See the light

He so bright

Kindly on us turneth.

Ye who sink in deepest anguish,

Look ye here,

Joy is near,

Grieve no more, nor languish.

Cleave to Him and He will bring you

To the place,

By His grace,

Where no pain will wring you.

All ye hearts, oppress'd with sorrow,

Ye who feel

Sin's sore ill

And conviction's arrow,

Courage now! for One is living

Who hath skill

You to heal,

All your pain relieving.

All ye poor ones and distressèd,

Come—come ye

Take—'tis free,

Of His store so blessèd.

Here do all good gifts flow over,

Here is gold

Stores untold!

Here your hearts recover!

Gracious Saviour! deign to hear me,

And let me

Hang on thee,

Undisturb'd stay near Thee.

Of my life Thou art the Giver,

I through Thee

Joyfully

Live contented ever.

Guilt no longer can distress me,

Son of God!

Thou my load

Bearest to release me.

Stain in me Thou findest never,

I am clean,

All my sin

Is remov'd for ever.

For Thy sake I'm clean all over,

Thou dost me

Graciously

With fair raiment cover.

To my heart's throne I will raise thee,

Glory mine!

Flow'r divine!

Let me love and praise Thee.

Diligently I'll preserve Thee,

To the skies

To Thee rise,

Here live for and serve Thee.

With Thee I at last shall wander,

Joyfully,

Endlessly,

And in glory yonder!

Come, and Christ the Lord be praising,

Heart and mind to Him be raising,

Celebrate His love amazing,

Worthy folk of Christendom!

Sin, death, hell, may all be grieving,

Satan shame feel to him cleaving,

We salvation free receiving,

Cast our every care away.

See what God for us provideth,

Life that in His Son abideth,

And our weary steps He guideth

From earth's woe to heav'nly joy.

His soul deeply for us feeleth,

He His love to us revealeth,

He who in the heavens dwelleth

Came to save us from our foe.

Jacob's star His advent maketh,

Soothes the longing heart that acheth,

And the serpent's head He breaketh,

Scattering the pow'r of hell.

Op'd hath He and freedom gain'd us

From the prison that contain'd us,

Where much grief and sorrow pain'd us,

And our hearts were bow'd with woe.

O bless'd hour when we receivèd

From the foe who us deceivèd

Liberty, when we believèd,

And Thee, gracious Savior, prais'd.

Beauteous Infant in the manger,

O befriend us! beyond danger

Bring us where is turn'd God's anger,

Where with angel hosts we'll praise!

Thy manger is

My paradise,

O Jesus Christ!

Where feeds my soul delighted.

There 'fore mine eyes

The Word now lies,

Who to our flesh

In person is united.

Whom wind and sea

Obey, e'en He

In servant's form

And place for men's appearing.

God's own Son, Thou

Assumest now

Clay weak and mean,

Such as our own, art wearing!

Thou, highest Good!

Dost raise our blood

Up to Thy throne,

High o'er all heights whatever!

Pow'r endless, Thou

Art brother now

To us who like

The grass and flowers, wither!

What harm can do

Our soul's dread foe

To us at all,

Though full of gall his spirit?

The things that he

Accuseth me

And others of,

From Adam we inherit.

Be silent, fiend!

There sits my Friend,

My flesh and blood,

High in the heav'ns enthronèd:

What Thou dost smite

The Prince of might

From Jacob's stem

With honours high hath ownèd.

His health and light,

Heal and give sight,

And heaven's Joy

All earthly ill undoeth.

Immanuel,

Of joy the Well,

The devil, hell,

And all their pow'r subdueth.

Believing heart,

Whoe'er thou art,

Be of good cheer,

Let nothing e'er depress thee;

Because God's Son

Makes thee God's own,

God must prove true

To thee, and ever bless thee.

Now think and see

How gloriously,

He over all

Distress hath thee uplifted.

He who reigns o'er

The angels, more

Than thou art, is

With blessedness not gifted.

Lo! seest thou

Before thee now,

Thy flesh and blood,

Who air and clouds rules ever.

What can there be

(I ask of thee)

That can arise,

To fear thee to deliver?

Things oft affright

Thy feeble sight

And make thee sigh,

Thy consolations vanish:

Come hither, then,

Behold again

Christ's manger here,

And all misgivings banish.

Though plagued with care,

Yet ne'er despair!

Thy Brother ne'er

Thy misery disdaineth;

His gracious heart

Feels every smart,

Nor when He sees

Our woe, from tears refraineth.

To Him now go,

He'll help bestow

And rest, and thou

Good cause shalt have for blessing.

Full well He knows

What burns and glows,

What on the heart

Of each sick one is pressing.

He therefore bore

The wrath so sore

Of the dread cross

In His flesh, shrinking never,

That through His pain

He might retain

The memory

Of our distresses ever.

The gate is He

That leadeth me

To present joy,

And to eternal blessing.

He soon doth send

A happy end

To all the grief

On pious heart that's pressing.

The world's base pelf

Leave to itself,

And make thou sure,

This treasure thine remaineth.

It firmly keep

Nor let it slip,

It there a crown

For soul and body gaineth!

Now at the manger here I stand,

My Jesus, Life from Heaven!

I stand, and bring Thee in my hand

What Thou to me hast given.

Take it, it is my mind and wit,

Heart, soul, and all I have, take it,

And deign to let it please Thee!

With Thy great love beyond compare,

My soul Thou fillest ever,

Thy glance so sweet, Thine image fair,

My heart forgetteth never.

How otherwise e'er could it be,

How could I ever banish Thee,

From my heart's throne, O Saviour!

Ere ever I began to be,

Thou hadst for me appearèd,

And as Thine own hadst chosen me

Ere Thee I knew or fearèd.

Before I by Thy hand was made,

Thou hadst the plan in order laid,

How Thou Thyself shouldst give me.

I lay still in death's deepest night,

Till Thou, my Sun, arising,

Didst bring joy, pleasure, life, and light,

My waken'd soul surprising.

O Sun! who dost so graciously

Faith's goodly light to dawn in me

Aye cause; Thy beams how beauteous!

With rapture do I gaze on Thee,

Ne'er can enough adore Thee,

Pow'r more to do is not in me,

I'll praise and bow before Thee.

Oh! that my mind were an abyss,

My soul a sea, wide, bottomless,

That so I might embrace Thee.

Oh! let me kiss that mouth of Thine,

My Jesus, Saviour gracious!

Thy mouth that e'en the sweetest wine,

And milk and honey precious,

In pow'r and virtue doth excel,

Of comfort, strength, and sap 'tis full,

And inwardly refreshes.

When oft my heart within doth cry,

No comfort can discover,

It calls to me, Thy friend am I,

Thine ev'ry sin I cover;

My flesh and bone, why mournest thou?

Let thy heart be of good cheer now,

Thy debt, I have discharg'd it.

Who is the Master, where is he,

Who in perfection sketcheth

The hands this infant dear to me

Now smilingly outstretcheth?

The snow is clear, and milk is white,

But both lose all their value quite

Before these hands so beauteous.

Oh! wisdom fails me utterly

For honouring and praising

The eyes this infant fixedly

To mine is ever raising.

The fall moon, it is clear and fair,

The golden stars most beauteous are,

But these eyes far excel them.

Oh! that a star so passing fair

Should in a crib be holden!

Who mighty nobles' children are

Should lie in cradles golden!

Ah! hay and straw too wretched are,

Silk, velvet, purple better far,

Were for Thee, Child! to lie on.

Remove the straw, remove the hay,

From where the child reposes,

And flow'rs I'll bring that lie He may

On violets and roses.

With tulips, pinks, and rosemary,

From goodly gardens pluck'd by me,

I'll from above bestrew Him.

And snow-white lilies here and there

His side shall be thrown over;

When closed His eyes with slumber are,

Them shall they softly cover.

But Thou mayest love the grass so dry,

My Child! more than the things that I

Have spoken or have thought of.

Not for the world's pride dost Thou care,

Nor joys the flesh doth offer;

In human form Thou liest there,

For us to do and suffer,

Seek'st joy and comfort for my soul,

While waves of trouble o'er Thee roll;

I never will Thee hinder.

One thing I hope Thou'lt grant to me,

My Saviour! ne'er deny me,

That I may evermore have Thee

Within, and on, and by me.

And let my heart Thy cradle be,

Come, come and lie Thou down in me,

With all Thy joys and treasures!

'Tis true, that I should think how poor

And mean my entertaining,

Than dust and ashes I'm no more,

Thou mad'st, art all-sustaining,

Yet Thou'rt a guest belov'd and priz'd,

For never yet hast Thou despis'd

Him who delights to see Thee!

Immanuel! to Thee we sing,

The Fount of life, of grace the Spring,

Than fairest lily fairer far,

Lord of all Lords, the morning Star!

Hallelujah!

With all Thy people, Lord, we raise

To Thee our heart-felt songs of praise,

That Thou, O long-expected Guest!

Hast brought us our desirèd rest.

Hallelujah!

Since the Creator said—“Light be!”

How many a heart hath watch'd for Thee!

Of Fathers, Prophets, Saints the throng

With ardent hope have waited long.

Hallelujah!

Than others more, the Shepherd King

Belov'd by Thee, and wont to sing

Thy praise on sounding harp, inspir'd

By deeper longing, Thee desir'd.

Hallelujah!

Ah Zion! that thy Lord to thee

Would come and set thy captives free;

Ah! that our help would now arise

And gladden Jacob's waiting eyes.

Hallelujah!

There art Thou now, Thou ever-bless'd!

There dost Thou in the manger rest;

The world Thou deck'st, all things hast made—

Thou'rt naked there, in weakness laid.

Hallelujah!

A stranger art Thou here below,

To whom the Heav'ns allegiance owe;

A mother's milk dost not despise,

Who art the Joy of angels' eyes.

Hallelujah!

The bounds of ocean fix'd hast Thou,

Who art a swaddled infant now;

Thou'rt God—a bed of straw Thou hast.

Thou'rt man—yet art the First and Last.

Hallelujah!

Of every joy Thou art the spring,

Yet sorrow oft Thy heart doth wring.

The Gentiles' Light and Hope Thou art,

Yet findest none to soothe Thy heart.

Hallelujah!

The sweetest Friend of man Thou art,

Though many hate Thee in their heart!

The heart of Herod loathèd Thee,

Yet what art Thou? Salvation free!

Hallelujah!

Thy meanest servant, Lord! am I,

I say it in sincerity;

I love Thee, but not half so well

As I should love,—more love I'd feel.

Hallelujah!

My pow'r is weak, though will be there,

But my poor heart against Thee ne'er

Shall rise t' oppose,—Thou wilt receive

By grace the little I can give.

Hallelujah!

Thou to be weak dost not disdain,

Dost choose the things the world deems vain,

Art poor and needy, and dost come,

By love impell'd, to want's drear home!

Hallelujah!

Thou sleepest on the lap of earth,

The manger where Thou at Thy birth

Wast laid to rest, the hay, the stall

Were mean, were miserable all.

Hallelujah!

And therefore doth my courage rise,

Thy servant wilt Thou not despise;

The gracious mind that dwells in Thee

Fills me with hope and gladdens me.

Hallelujah!

Lord! though I've pass'd in sin my days,

And wandered far from wisdom's ways,

Yet therefore Thou to earth hast come,

To bring the wand'ring sinner home.

Hallelujah!

Had I no debt of sin to face,

How could I ever share Thy grace?

In vain for me Thine advent here,

Had I no wrath of God to fear.

Hallelujah!

Lord, fearlessly I come to Thee,

Thou keep'st my soul from anguish free;

Thou bear'st the wrath, dost death destroy,

And sorrow turnest into joy.

Hallelujah!

My Head Thou art, Thy member I

In turn am, and Thy property;

Lord, I will serve Thee while I live

With all the grace Thou deign'st to give.

Hallelujah!

Loud hallelujahs here I'll sing,

With joy that from my heart doth spring,

And when I reach yon mansions fair

I will repeat them ever there.

Hallelujah!

Why should they such pain e'er give Thee,

Why inflict such cruel smart?

Jesus, why should they so grieve Thee,

Who're uncircumcis'd in heart,

By this rite? Though Thou art free

From the law's yoke utterly,

Yet man's nature art Thou wearing,

But no sin its beauty marring.

For Thyself Thou dost not bear it,

Of the Cov'nant Thou art Head;

'Tis our debts that make Thee share it,

That like grievous load of lead

Lie upon us, and Thy heart

Pierce e'en to the inmost part;

These Thou bearest to deliver

Us, who could have paid them never.

Let your hearts be glad, ye debtors!

Let the world rejoice to-day,

For the Son of God our fetters

Breaks, the price begins to pay.

This day is the Law fulfill'd,

This day is God's anger still'd,

Whom to death law did deliver,

God's Son makes God's heirs for ever.

We this grace enough can never

Own, nor for it grateful be;

Heart and mouth, O Saviour! ever

Shall exalt and honour Thee!

We shall praise with all our pow'r

All Thy goodness, Thee adore,

While in weakness here we wander,

And Thy praise re-echo yonder!

In pray'r your voices raise ye

To God, and Him now praise ye,

Who to our life from heaven

All needed strength hath given.

The stream of years is flowing,

And we are onward going,

From old to new surviving,

And by His mercy thriving.

In woe we often languish,

And pass through times of anguish,

When fearful war aboundeth,

That earth itself surroundeth.

As faithful mother keepeth

Guard while her infant sleepeth,

And all its grief assuageth

When angry tempest rageth;

So God His children shieldeth,

Them full protection yieldeth;

When need and woe distress them,

His loving arms caress them.

In vain is all our doing,

The labour we're pursuing

In our hands prospers never,

Unless God watcheth ever.

Our song to Thee ascendeth,

Who every day defendeth

Us, and whose arm averteth

The pain our hearts that hurteth.

O God of mercy! hear us;

Our Father! be Thou near us;

'Mid crosses and in sadness

Be Thou our Spring of gladness.

To me and all be given,

Who from the heart have striven

To gain Thy benediction,

Hearts patient in affliction.

Oh! close the gates of sorrow,

And by a glorious morrow

Of peace, may places sadden'd

By bloodshed dire be gladden'd.

With richest blessings crown us,

In all our ways, Lord! own us;

Give grace, who grace bestowest

To all, e'en to the lowest.

Of all forlorn be Father,

All erring ones ingather,

And of the poor and needy

Be Thou the succour speedy.

Grace show to all afflicted,

And to all souls dejected,

By melancholy haunted,

May happy thoughts be granted.

All earthly gifts excelling,

The Holy Ghost indwelling,

Give us to make us glorious,

And lead to Thee victorious.

All this Thy hand bestoweth,

Thou Life! whence our life floweth,

Thus Thou Thy people meetest

With New Year's blessing greetest.

A Lamb bears all its guilt away

The world thus to deliver,

All sins of sinners patiently

It bears and murmurs never.

It goes, and weak and sick is made

An off'ring on the altar laid,

All pleasure it forsaketh,

Submits to shame, and scorn, and wrath,

To anguish, wounds, stripes, cross, and death,

This cup with gladness taketh.

This Lamb, He is the soul's great Friend

And everlasting Saviour,

God chooseth Him sin's reign to end

And bring us to His favour.

“Go forth, my Son! redeem to Thee

The children who're exposed by me

To punishment and anger.

The punishment is great, and dread

The wrath, but Thou Thy blood shalt shed,

And free them thus from danger.”

“I'll go where, Father! thou dost send,

Bear what on me Thou layest,

My will doth on Thy word depend,

My work is what Thou sayest.”

O mighty love! O wondrous love!

Thou canst do all our thoughts above,

Make God His Son deliver!

O love! O love! Thy pow'r how great!

Thou did'st Him e'en to death prostrate

Whose glance the rocks can shiver.

Thou martyr'st Him upon the tree,

With spear and nails destroying

Thou slay'st Him, lamblike, ruthlessly,

Till heart and veins are flowing,

The heart with many a long-drawn sigh,

And till His veins are copiously

Their noble life-blood yielding.

Sweet Lamb! what shall I do for Thee

For all the good Thou doest me,

Thus saving me and shielding?

All my life long I'll cleave to Thee

And shall forget Thee never,

As always Thou embracest me

I will embrace Thee ever.

My heart's Light Thou shalt ever be,

And when my heart shall break in me

Thy heart shall fail me never.

O Thou, my Glory, I to Thee

Myself as Thine own property

Herewith resign for ever!

I ever shall both night and day

Thy loveliness be singing,

An offering of joy shall aye

Myself to Thee be bringing.

My stream of life shall still to Thee,

And to Thy name, outpourèd be,

In gratitude enduring.

Of every good Thou doest me,

My soul shall mindful strive to be,

In memory securing!

Shrine of my heart! now open'd be,

To thee shall now be given

Fair treasures that far greater be

Than earth, and sea, and heaven.

Away! gold of Arabia,

Myrrh, calamus, and cassia,

Far better I discover!

My priceless treasure is, O Thou

My Jesus! what so freely now

From Thy wounds floweth over!

Good use of this behoves it me

At all times to be making,

My shield in conflict shall it be,

My joy when heart is breaking,

In happiness my song of joy;

When all things else my taste do cloy,

This manna then shall feed me,

In thirst my well-spring shall it be,

In solitude converse with me,

And out and in shall lead me!

What can death's poison do to me?

Thy blood to me life giveth,

And when the sun burns fervently,

With grateful shade relieveth;

And when with sorrow sore oppress'd

I ever find in it my rest,

As sick men on their pillows.

My anchor art Thou, when my skies

Are clouded o'er, and tempests rise,

My bark 'whelm in the billows.

And when at last heav'n's gate I see,

And taste the kingdom's pleasure,

This blood shall then my purple be,

I'll clothe me in this treasure;

It shall be then my glorious crown,

In which I'll stand before the throne

Of God, with none to blame me;

And as a bride in fair array,

I'll stand beside my Lord that day,

Who woo'd, and then will claim me.

See, world! thy Life assailèd;

On the accurs'd tree nailèd,

Thy Saviour sinks in death!

The mighty Prince from Heaven

Himself hath freely given

To shame, and blows, and cruel wrath!

Come hither now and ponder,

'Twill fill thy soul with wonder,

Blood streams from every pore.

Through grief whose depth none knoweth,

From His great heart there floweth

Sigh after sigh of anguish o'er!

Who is it that afflicts Thee?

My Saviour, what dejects Thee,

And causeth all Thy woe?

Sin Thou committed'st never,

As we and our seed ever,

Of deeds of evil nought dost know.

I many times transgressing,

In number far surpassing

The sand upon the coast,

I thus the cause have given,

That Thou with grief art riven,

And the afflicted martyr host.

I've done it, and deliver

Me hand and foot for ever

Thou justly might'st to hell.

The mock'ry to Thee offer'd,

The scourging Thou hast suffer'd,

My soul it was deserv'd it well.

The load Thou takest on Thee,

That press'd so sorely on me,

Than stone more heavily.

A curse, Lord, Thou becamest,

Thus blessings for me claimest,

Thy pain must all my comfort be.

Not death itself Thou fearest,

As surety Thou appearest

For all my debts and me.

For me Thy brow is crownèd

With thorns, and Thou'rt disownèd

By men, and bear'st all patiently.

Into death's jaws Thou springest,

Deliv'rance to me bringest

From such a monster dire.

My death away Thou takest,

Thy grave its grave Thou makest;

Of love, O unexampled fire!

I'm bound, my Saviour, ever,

By ties most sacred never

Thy service to forsake;

With soul and body ever,

With all my pow'rs t' endeavour,

In praise and service joy to take.

Not much can I be giving

In this poor life I'm living,

But one thing do I say:

Thy death and sorrows ever,

Till soul from body sever,

My heart remember shall for aye.

Before mine eyes I'll place them,

And joyfully embrace them,

Wherever I may be,

They'll be a glass revealing

Pure innocence, and sealing

Love and unfeign'd sincerity.

Of sin how great the danger,

How it excites God's anger,

How doth His vengeance burn

How sternly He chastiseth,

How His wrath's flood ariseth,

Shall I from all Thy suff'rings learn.

From them shall I be learning,

How I may be adorning,

My heart with quietness,

And how I still should love them

Whose malice aye doth move them

To grieve me by their wickedness.

When tongues of bad men grieve me,

Of peace and name deprive me,

My restive heart I'll still;

Their evil deeds enduring,

Of pardon free assuring

My neighbour for his ev'ry ill.

I'll on the cross unite me

To Thee, what doth delight me

I'll there renounce for aye.

Whate'er Thy Spirit's grieving,

There I'll for aye be leaving,

As much as in my strength doth lay.

Thy groaning and Thy sighing,

Thy thousand tears and crying,

That once were heard from Thee,

They'll lead me to Thy glory,

Where I shall joy before Thee,

And evermore at rest shall be!

Oh! bleeding head, and wounded,

And full of pain and scorn,

In mockery surrounded

With cruel crown of thorn!

Oh Head! before adornèd

With grace and majesty,

Insulted now and scornèd,

All hail I bid to Thee!

They spit upon and jeer Thee,

Thou noble countenance!

Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee,

And flee before Thy glance.

How hath Thy colour faded,

The light too of Thine eye!

Say who to pale hath made it?

None shone so brilliantly.

Now from Thy cheeks is vanish'd

Their colour once so fair;

From Thy red lips is banish'd

The splendour that was there.

Death's might hath all things taken,

Hath robb'd Thee ruthlessly;

Thy frame, of strength forsaken,

Doth hence in weakness lie.

O Lord! it was my burden

That brought this woe on Thee,

I earn'd it—for my pardon

It has been borne by Thee.

A child of wrath, look on me,

Turn not away Thy face;

O Saviour! deign to own me,

And smile on me in grace.

My Guardian, now confess me,

My Shepherd, me receive!

Thou evermore dost bless me,

All good things dost Thou give.

Thy mouth hath often given

Me milk and sweetest food.

And many a taste of Heaven

Thy Spirit hath bestow'd.

Oh! do not, Lord, deride me,

I will not hence depart,

Here will I stand beside Thee,

When breaks Thine anguish'd heart;

When on Thy breast is sinking

In death's last fatal grasp

Thy head, e'en then unshrinking

Thee in mine arms I'll clasp.

Nought ever so much blesses,

So much rejoices me,

As when in Thy distresses

I share a part with Thee.

My Life, ah! were it ever

Vouchsaf'd me on Thy cross

My soul up to deliver,

How blessèd were my loss!

Thanks from my heart I offer

Thee, Jesus, dearest Friend,

For all that Thou didst suffer,

My good didst Thou intend.

Ah! grant that I may ever

To Thy truth faithful be,

And in the last death-shiver

May I be found in Thee.

When hence I must betake me,

And death at last must meet,

Lord, do not then forsake me,

Thy child with welcome greet.

When terror has bereft me,

Of heart and hope, again,

Lord! from my woe uplift me,

In virtue of Thy pain.

Be Thou my consolation

When death o'ertaketh me;

May Thy death-tribulation

Before mine eyes then be!

I'll on Thee, fondly gazing,

Fix my believing eyes,

While firmly Thee embracing,—

He dies well who so dies.

My heart! the seven words hear now

That Jesus Christ hath spoken,

When on the cross His heart through woe

And murder dire was broken;

Ope now the shrine,

And lock them in,

As gifts all price excelling.

In bitter grief,

They'll give relief,

'Neath crosses joy instilling.

His first and chiefest care He made

Who hated Him to cover:

God for the wicked men He pray'd,

That He'd their sin look over.

“Forgive, forgive,”

He said in love,

“Them every one, O Father!

Not one doth see

What doeth he,

In ignorance 'tis rather!”

How fair it is, let all learn here,

To love their foes who grieve them,

And all their faults with hearts sincere

Aye freely to forgive them.

He also shows,

How grace o'erflows

His heart, how kind His mood is,

That e'en his foe,

Who'd work Him woe,

Doth in Him find what good is!

Then to His mother doth He speak,

Who stood near him He loveth,

And as He can, though voice be weak,

With words of comfort sootheth:

“Woman! there see

Thy son, for me

Thou shalt by him be guarded.

Disciple! see,

Let her by thee

As mother be regarded.”

O faithful heart! thou car'st for all

Thine own who truly love Thee,

When they in tribulation fall

Thou seest, the sight doth move Thee;

A friend in need,

In word and deed,

Thou at their side appearest,

Dost by Thy grace

Find them a place,

Them to good souls endearest.

The third thing that Thy lips have said

Thou spak'st to him beside Thee,

When, “Think upon me then,” he pray'd,

“When God Himself shall guide Thee

Up to Thy throne,

Thy head shall crown

As Lord of earth and heaven:”

“To walk with Me

To-day shall thee

In Paradise be given.”

O blessèd word! O voice of joy!

Can aught affright us?—never!

Let death who seeketh to destroy,

Now disappear for ever!

Though he rage sore,

What can he more

Than soul and body sever?

And meanwhile I

Mount up on high,

In joy to dwell for ever.

Christ's word gives deepest peace and joy,

The robber's trouble stilleth;

But He cries from the agony

His holy breast that filleth,

“Eli, my God,

What heavy load

Am I, Thy Son, now bearing?

I call, and Thou

Art silent now,

Though I sink, seem'st not caring.”

This lesson learn, thou child of faith,

When God His count'nance veileth,

Lest thou be cast down in the path

When trouble thee assaileth:

Firm to Him cleave,

Though He may leave,

He'll comfort soon, and cheer thee;

True do thou be,

Cry mightily,

Until He turn and hear thee.

The Lord His voice now clear doth raise

Through thirst that paineth sorely;

“I thirst,” the Spring eternal says,

The Lord of life and glory.

What meaneth He?

He showeth thee

How He thy load sinks under,

That thou did'st pile

For Him, the while

In sin's ways thou did'st wander.

Thereby He also telleth thee

How much He longs that ever

His cross in each may fruitful be,

Fail of its end may never.

Mark this all ye,

Now carefully,

Who're in soul tribulation:

Th' eternal Sun

Refuseth none

The soul's part and salvation.

And as the gloomy night of death

Upon the Lord descended,

“'Tis finish'd,” He with dying breath

Said, “now my work is ended;

What was foretold

In days of old,

By seers who went before me,

Doth now betide;

I'm crucified,

And men now triumph o'er me.”

“'Tis finish'd!”—why then toilest thou?

In vain thy labour ever!

As if aught human strength can do,

Could e'er from guilt deliver!

'Tis done! beware,

And never dare

To add aught to it ever;

Do thou believe,

In faith aye cleave

To Him, forsake Him never.

His voice at length the Lord doth raise,

High over all 'tis swelling:

“My spirit, Father! to the place

Take where Thou'rt ever dwelling,

My soul receive,

That now doth leave

This body sorely riven.”

And at the word,

To the great Lord

Release from pain was given.

Oh! would to God, that I might end

My life as His was ended,

My spirit unto God commend

As His was then commended.

O Christ, my Lord!

May Thy last word

The last be by me spoken;

So happily

I'll go to Thee,

When life's last thread is broken.