Laudes Domini ‎#56

56. Foretastes of Heaven

1 The dawn of God’s new Sabbath
Breaks o’er the earth again,
As some sweet summer morning
After a night of pain.
It comes as cooling showers
To cheer a thirsting land,
As shades of clustered palm-trees
'Mid weary wastes of sand.

2 Lord, we would bring for burden
Of sinful thought and deed,
In thy pure presence kneeling
From bondage to be free;
Our heart's most bitter sorrow
For all our work undone,
So many talents wasted,
So few true conquests won.

3 Yet still, O Lord long-suffering,
Still grant us in our need
Here in thy holy presence
The saving name to plead;
And on thy day of blessings,
Within thy temple walls,
To foretaste the pure worship
Of Zion's golden halls:--

4 Until in joy and gladness
We reach that home at last,
When life's short week of sorrow
And sin and strife is past;
When angel-hands have gathered
The first ripe fruit for thee,
O Father, Son, and Spirit,
Most Holy Trinity!

Text Information

• First Line: The dawn of God's new Sabbath
• Title: Foretastes of Heaven
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1884

Tune Information

• Name: GLADNESS
• Meter: 7s, 6s. D
• Key: E Major