The Lutheran Hymnary ‎#157

157. O how shall I receive Thee

1 O how shall I receive Thee,
How meet Thee on Thy way;
Blest hope of every nation,
My soul's delight and stay?
Jesus, Jesus, give me,
By Thine illuming light,
To know whate'er is pleasing
And welcome in Thy sight.

2 Thy Zion palms is strewing,
And branches fresh and fair;
And every soul awaking,
Her anthem shall prepare;
Perpetual thanks and praises
Forth from our hearts shall spring;
And to Thy name the service
Of all our powers we bring.

3 O ye who sorrow, sinking
Beneath your grief and pain,
Rejoice in His appearing,
Who shall your souls sustain:
He comes, He come with gladness!
How great is His good-will!
He comes, all grief and anguish
Shall at His word be still.

4 Ye who with guilty terror
Are trembling, fear no more:
With love and grace the Savior
Shall you to hope restore;
He comes, who contrite sinners
Will with the children place,
The children of His Father,
The heirs of life and grace.

5 He comes, the Lord, to judgment;
Woe, woe to them who hate!
To those who love and seek Him
He opes the heavenly gate.
Come quickly, gracious Savior,
And gather us to Thee,
That in the light eternal
Our joyous home may be.

Text Information

• First Line: O how shall I receive Thee
• Author: P. Gerhardt (1653)
• Meter: 7, 6. 8L.
• Publication Date: 1913
• Topic: The Church Year: First Sunday in Advent

Tune Information

• Name: [O how shaw I receive Thee]
• Meter: 7, 6. 8L.
• Key: A Major
• Source: Zinck's Koralbog, 1801