| 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, 11 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. 13 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. | |