Awake, my heart's delight, awake Thou Christian host, and hear These tones that lovely music make, God's Word most pure and clear, That now is sweetly sounding, While dawn is piercing through the night Through God's dear love abounding. | 132 The prophets' message now at last Our ears may hear again, Locked up therewith in silence fast Long had the Gospel lain; But now we hear their voices, And many an anxious burdened soul In freedom now rejoices. | For conscience lay oppressed and bound By bans and men's commands, Soul-traps and nets were all around; But now our German lands, Behold the sun is risen, And those foul shapes were ghosts and lies, And dare to burst their prison. | Christ sends us many messengers His gospel to proclaim, And all the realm of darkness stirs To work them death or shame, And quench the Truth in error;-- O Christendom, thou Bride of God, Fear not for all their terror! | Trust thou in flattering tongues no more, Though many they may be; All human teachings dread thou sore, Though good they seem to thee; But put thy whole affiance In God's good-will and holy Word, There is our one reliance. | 133 There yield thy heart and soul entire, What it commands is good; Where it forbids let no desire E'er stir within thy blood; Where it allows, maintain thou Thy Christian freedom as Paul saith, Yet from offence refrain thou. | The Word will save thee from the smart Of sin and pains of hell, If thou believe it with thy heart No evil there can dwell; 'Twill make thee pure and holy, And teach thee that in Jesus lies Our hope and comfort solely. | Blest be the day and blest the hour When thou didst see revealed The Word of God in all its power, The soul's true strength and shield; Let nought to thee be dearer In heaven or earth, no creature-love E'er to thy heart be nearer. | O Christendom, here give thou heed, By no false lore perplexed, Here seek and find true life indeed For this world and the next; For he who dies believing In Christ alone, shall live with Him, His heavenly joys receiving. | |