Hymns, Selected and Original ‎#398

398. Rejoice in God, the word commands

1 Rejoice in God, the word commands,
And fain would I obey;
Yet still my spirit lingering stands,
While doubts impede my way.

2 How can my soul exult for joy,
Which feels this load of sin?
And how can praise my tongue employ,
While darkness reigns within?

3 Whence should my lips give rapture birth,
When I no rapture feel?
Or how should notes of heavenly mirth,
Sound from a breast of steel?

4 If falling tears and rising sighs,
In triumph share a part;
Then, Lord, behold these streaming eyes,
And search this bleeding heart!

5 My soul forgets to use her wings;
My harp neglected lies;
For sin has broken all its strings,
And guilt shuts out my joys.

6 The power, the sweetness, of thy voice,
Alone my heart can move;
Make me in Christ my Lord rejoice,
And melt my soul to love.

Text Information

• First Line: Rejoice in God, the word commands
• Meter: C. M.
• Publication Date: 1828
• Topic: Christian experience: Doubts and Fears; The Complaint under Darkness

Tune Information

(No tune information)