O How Shall I Receive Thee

O How Shall I RECEIVE Thee?

Third Sunday In Advent: Christ The Deliverer

Version 1

Words: "Wie Soll Ich Dich Empfangen?", Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676), 1653.
Translation By Arthur Tozer Russell, 1851
Text: Matthew 21: 1-9

Music: Valet will ich dir geben, by Melchior Teschner, 1613
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St. Theodulph
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Wie Soll Ich Dich Empfangen, Johann Cruger
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This tune was written by Johann Crüger for this text and appeared with the hymn in its first publication in the Crüger-Runge Gesangbuch, Berlin, in 1653.

Meter: 76 87 D

Source: O. Hardwig, ed., The Wartburg Hymnal (Chicago: Wartburg Publishing House, 1918), #80

And it shall be said in that day,
Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him,
and He will save us: this is the Lord;
we have waited for Him,
we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.
From the Lesson.
Is. 25:9

1. O how shall I receive Thee,
    How greet Thee, Lord, a-right?
All nations long to see Thee,
    My hope, my heart's delight!
O kindle, Lord, most holy,
    Thy lamp within my breast,
To do in spirit lowly
    All that may please Thee best.

2. Thy Zion palms is strewing,
    And branches fresh and fair;
My heart its powers renewing,
    An anthem shall prepare.
My soul puts off her sadness
    Thy glories to proclaim;
With all her strength and gladness
    She fain would serve Thy Name.

3. I lay in fetters groaning,
    Thou com'st to set me free!
I stood my shame bemoaning,
    Thou com'st to honor me
A glory Thou dost give me,
    A treasure safe on high
That will not fail nor leave me
    As early riches fly.

4. Love caused Thy incarnation,
    Love brought Thee down to me;
Thy thirst for my salvation
    Procured my liberty.
O love beyond all telling,
    That led Thee to embrace,
In love all love excelling,
    Our lost and fallen race.

5. Rejoice then, ye sad-hearted,
    Who sit in deepest gloom,
Who mourn o'er joys departed,
    And tremble at your doom;
He who alone can cheer you
    Is standing at the door;
He brings His pity near you,
    And bids you weep no more.

Sheet Music from O. Hardwig, ed., The Wartburg Hymnal (Chicago: Wartburg Publishing House, 1918)

Sheet Music from The Parish School Hymnal. Philadelphia: Board of Publication of the United Lutheran Church in America, 1926, #6.

Translations:

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