Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Preparing For A King

It's been a long time since I have heard this hymn, much less sung it (the tune, by the way, is Truro). I never realized it is an Advent hymn until this year. But the lyrics, based on Psalm 24:7-10, originally written by George Weissel and translated by Catherine Winkworth, fit the themes of preparing and waiting:

1. Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates; 
behold, the King of glory waits; 
the King of kings is drawing near; 
the Savior of the world is here! 

2. Fling wide the portals of your heart; 
make it a temple, set apart 
from earthly use for heaven's employ, 
adorned with prayer and love and joy. 

3. Redeemer, come, with us abide; 
our hearts to thee we open wide; 
let us thy inner presence feel; 
thy grace and love in us reveal. 

4. Thy Holy Spirit lead us on 
until our glorious goal is won; 
eternal praise, eternal fame 
be offered, Savior, to thy name!

Ero cras. 

No comments: