The Cyber Hymnal ‎#12603

12603. Lo! The Desert Depths Are Stirred

1 Lo! The desert depths are stirred,
And the reeds of Jordan quiver;
At the Baptist’s herald word,
Shake the shores of that old river.

2 Nearer comes the Preacher’s cry,
Deeper sounds his voice and deeper,
Telling that the Christ is nigh,
In a tone to rouse the sleeper.

3 By their Maker’s coming feet
Moved, the earth, the air, the ocean
Joyously His advent greet,
With a strangely yearning motion.

4 Cleanse the heart—a highway strew
For the Godhead hither faring;
Cleanse the home—a dwelling, due
To the mighty Guest, preparing.

5 Jesu, Thou our solace art,
Thou our strength and our salvation;
Withered grass, from Thee apart,
Fades away man’s feeble nation.

6 Lift the lost, with hand of health,
Whom the plague is fast consuming;
Lift the veil—in all its wealth,
Lo! the beauteous world is blooming.

7 Thou, who comest man to free,
Son, be Thine all praise for ever;
Thine with Sire and Spirit be
Laud through ages ending never.

Text Information

• First Line: Lo! The desert depths are stirred
• Title: Lo! The Desert Depths Are Stirred
• Latin Title: Jordanis oras praevia
• Author: Charles Coffin
• Translator: William J. Blew (1850)
• Meter: 78.78
• Language: English
• Source: Hymni Sacri, 1736
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: GROSVENOR
• Composer: Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1872)
• Meter: 78.78
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: Public Domain