American Lutheran Hymnal ‎#378

378. Light Of The Gentile Nations

1 Light of the Gentile nations,
Thy people's joy and love!
Drawn by Thy Spirit hither,
We gladly come to prove
Thy presence in Thy temple
And wait with earnest mind,
As Simeon once had waited
His Savior God to find.

2 Yea, Lord, Thy servants meet Thee,
E'en now, in ev'ry place
Where Thy true Word hath promised
That they should see Thy face.
Thou yet wilt gladly grant us,
Who gather round Thee here,
In faith's strong arms to bear Thee,
As did that aged seer.

3 Be Thou our joy, our brightness,
That shines 'mid pain and loss,
Our sun in times of terror,
The glory round our cross;
A glow in sinking spirits,
A sunbeam in distress;
Physician, friend in sickness;
In death, our happiness.

4 O let us, Lord, be faithful
Like Simeon to the end,
So that his dying anthem
May from our hearts ascend:
O Lord, now let Thy servant
Depart in peace, I pray,
Since I have seen my Savior
And have beheld His day.

5 My Savior, I behold Thee
Now with the eye of faith;
No foe of Thee can rob me,
Though bitter words he saith.
Within Thy heart abiding,
As Thou dost dwell in me,
No pain, no death has terrors
To part my soul from Thee.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Light of the Gentile nations
• Title: Light Of The Gentile Nations
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1863, a.)
• Author: J. Franck (1674)
• Meter: 7 6 7 6 D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1930
• Topic: The Church Year: Epiphany; Processionals and Recessionals: Epiphany

Tune Information

• Name: MAGDALENA
• Composer: J. Stainer (1875)
• Meter: 7 6 7 6 D.
• Key: E♭ Major