Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal. 9th ed. ‎#a190

a190. Wake, Spirit, who in times now olden

1 Wake, Spirit, who in times now olden
Didst fire the watchmen of the Church's youth,
And them 'gainst ev'ry foe embolden,
To witness day and night th'eternal truth,
Whose voices through the world are ringing still,
And bringing hosts to know and do Thy will:

2 Soon may that fire from heaven be lent us,
That swift from land to land its flame may leap!
Soon, Lord, that priceless boon be sent us
Of faithful servants, fit for Thee to reap
The harvest of the soul,--look down and view
How great the harvest, but the laborers few.

3 Lord, to our earnest prayer now hearken,
The prayer we offer at Thy Son's command;
For, lo! while storms around us darken,
Thy children's hearts are stirr'd in every land,
To cry for help, with fervent soul, to Thee;
O hear us, Lord, and speak: "Thus let it be!"

4 O speedily that help be granted!
Send forth evangelists, in spirit strong,
Armed with Thy Word, a host undaunted,
Bold to attack the rule of ancient wrong,
And let them all the earth for Thee reclaim,
To be Thy kingdom and to know Thy name!

5 Grant that for which Thy people calleth!
Send down Thy promised Spirit, Lord, in might,
Before whom every barrier falleth,
And let it thus at evening-time be light;
O! rend the heavens, and make Thy presence felt,
The chains that bind us at Thy touch would melt.

6 Let Zion's paths lie waste no longer,
Remove the hindrances that there have lain,
And let Thy Word go forth to conquer;
Destroy false doctrine, root out notions vain,
Set free from hirelings, let the Church and school
Bloom as a garden 'neath Thy prospering rule.

Text Information

• First Line: Wake, Spirit, who in times now olden
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1895
• Topic: The Catechism: The Church
• Notes: Author from Index: Bogatzky— Winkworth; Hymn from the German Text: Wach auf, du Geist der ersten Zeugen

Tune Information

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