Blest Framer of the Starry Height

For Advent during Vespers

Words: Conditor alme siderum, Anonymous 7^th Century Latin Hymn, “Ambrosian,” from the Roman Breviary.
See Conditor alme siderum, the main page for this family of hymns.

Translated by Robert C. Singleton, 1867

Music: “Conditor Alme.” Ancient. Irregular Meter.

Source: Robert C. Singleton, ed., Anglican Hymn Book. (London: Novello, Ewer, and Co., 1871), #37.

Blest Framer of the starry height,
Thy people's everlasting light,
Good Jesu, Saviour of us all,
O listen as we humbly call.

Lest earth, betrayed by wiles of Hell,
Should perish, Thou hast broke the spell;
And, fired by love, unfailing, sure,
For sin-sick man art found the cure.

To blot away that common sin,
Which strained the world without, within,
Thou, Cross-ward, from the Virgin's shrine,
Art hasting, spotless Lamb divine.

When once thy Name, in glorious power,
Comes ringing on the midnight hour,
The stooping hosts of Heaven and Hell,
With trembling knee their terror tell.

Avert Thy wrath we humbly pray,
Great Judge of that tremendous Day;
With weapons of Thy heav'nly grace
Defend us from the foeman's face.

Might, honor, majesty, and praise,
To God the Father high we raise;
With God the Spirit laud the Son,
Till rolling ages cease to run.

Music: "St Paul," Harmonized by Mendellsohn from Robert C. Singleton, ed., Anglican Hymn Book. (London: Novello, Ewer, and Co., 1871), #37.

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