The Promise Kept

The original (in German) was written by Johannes Olearius, with another able translation to English by Catherine Winkworth. The more familiar tune setting is "Freu dich sehr," found in the Geneva Psalter. Originally for the feast of St. John the Baptist, the herald's words, ringing in our ears for these past "four" weeks, are a fitting way to make our final preparation.

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1. Comfort, comfort ye my people,

    Speak ye peace, thus saith our God;

    Comfort those who sit in darkness,

    Mourning 'neath their sorrows' load;

    Speak ye to Jerusalem

    Of the peace that waits for them,

    Tell her that her sins I cover,

    And her warfare now is over.

2. Yea, her sins our God will pardon,

    Blotting out each dark misdeed;

    All that well deserved His anger

    He will no more see nor heed.

    She hath suffer'd many a day,

    Now her griefs have passed away,

    God will change her pining sadness

    Into ever-springing gladness.

3. For Elijah's voice is crying

    In the desert far and near,

    Bidding all men to repentance,

    Since the kingdom now is here.

    Oh that warning cry obey,

    Now prepare for God a way;

    Let the valleys rise to meet Him,

    And the hills bow down to greet Him.

4. Make ye straight what long was crooked,

    Make the rougher places plain,

    Let your hearts be true and humble,

    As befits His holy reign;

    For the glory of the Lord

    Now o'er earth is shed abroad,

    And all flesh shall see the token

    That His Word is never broken.

Ero cras.