Ye Sons Of Men, In Earnest

For St. John The Baptist

Words: "Mit Ernst, O Menschenkinder," Valentin Thilo (1607-1662), 1642
Translation By Catherine Winkworth

Music: "From God Shall Nought Divide Me"

Source: William Sterndale Bennett and Otto Goldschmidt, eds., The Chorale Book For England. Congregational Edition. (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, 1863, Supp. 1865), Translator: Catherine Winkworth, #84.

1. Ye sons of men, in earnest
    Prepare your hearts within,
The wondrous Conqu'ror cometh,
    Whose power can save from sin,
Whom God in grace alone
    Hath promised long to send us,
To lighten and befriend us,
    And make His mercy known.

2. Oh set your ways in order
    When such a guest is nigh;
Make plain the paths before Him
    That now deserted lie.
Forsake what He doth hate,
    Exalt the lowly valleys,
Bring down all pride and malice,
    And make the crooked straight.

3. The heart that's meek and lowly
    Is highest with our God;
The heart now proud and lofty
    He humbles with His rod;
The heart that's unenticed
    By sin, and fears to grieve Him,
Is ready to receive Him,
    To such comes Jesus Christ.

4. 'Twas thus St. John hath taught us,
    'Twas thus he preach'd of yore;
And they will feel God's anger
    Who list not to his lore.
Ah God! now let his voice
    To Thy true service win us,
That Christ may come within us,
    And we in Him rejoice!

Sheet Music from William Sterndale Bennett and Otto Goldschmidt, eds., The Chorale Book For England. Congregational Edition. (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, 1863, Supp. 1865), Translator: Catherine Winkworth, #84.

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