The Saviour Comes!

For Epiphany

Words: "Der Heiland kommt," John Samuel Dieterich (1721-1797)
Translation: Henry Mills

Music: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, Philip Nicolai, 1599.
The melody is said to be from an older tune from Strasbourg, circa 1538.
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML
Meter: 887 887 48 48

Source: J. H. Hopkins, ed., Great Hymns of the Church Compiled by the Late Right Reverend John Freeman Young (New York: James Pott & Company, 1887), #87, pp. 134-5.

1. The Saviour comes! Sing praise to Him,
The God proclaimed by seraphim
    "Thrice Holy! in their praises,
Thou comest, God's Eternal Son,
Descending from Thy heav'nly throne,
    Whose grace to glory raises.
        May we    By Thee
Find deliv'ry    From our slavery,
        And, in glory,
    Sing of grace the wondrous story!

2. We welcome Thee, great Prince of peace,
Through Whom from sin we hope release, —
    Welcome to earthly dwelling!
Thou takest on Thee flesh and blood,
Becomest man to work our good,
    Thy heart with pity swelling.
        And now    Art Thou
Mercy reaching,    Kindly teaching
        To transgressors,
    How of grace to come possessors.

3. Thou bringest comfort from distress,
Life, health, enduring happiness; —
    To Thee be praise forever!
What, dearest Saviour, can we bring?
How render Thee fit offering?
    Thou, by Thy matchless favor,
        To men    In sin
Helpless lying,    Near to dying
            Op'nest heaven;
    Greater boon was never given!

4. We bring a grateful heart to Thee,
For sin aggriev'd, from feigning free,
    And in Thy service ready:
To Thee, and to our neighbor true,
Where'er Thou leadest would pursue,
    With purpose ever steady.
        Jesus,    To us,
Make Thy pleasure    Duty's measure;
        All who cherish
Not Thy love, by wrath must perish.

5. May we for endless glory strive, —
By faith upon Thy promise live, —
    Our hopes still upward rising;
In sorrows look to Thee above,
Abiding ever in Thy love,
    Earth's vanities despising;
        Till we    To Thee
Sing the praises    Heaven raises,
        And, before Thee,
With the ransom'd throng adore Thee.

Sheet Music from J. H. Hopkins, ed., Great Hymns of the Church Compiled by the Late Right Reverend John Freeman Young (New York: James Pott & Company, 1887), #87, pp. 134-5.

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