The Lutheran Hymnary ‎#223

223. Rise, O Salem, rise and shine!

1 Rise, O Salem, rise and shine!
Lo, the Gentiles hail Thy waking;
Herald of a morn divine,
See the Day-spring o’er us breaking,
Telling God hath called to mind
Those who long in darkness pined.

2 O how blindly we did stray,
Ere this sun our earth had brightened;
Heaven we sought not, for no ray
Had our 'wildered eyes enlightened:
All our looks were earthward bent,
All our strength on earth was spent.

3 But the Day-spring from on high
Hath aris'n with beams unclouded,
And we see before it fly
All the heavy gloom that shrouded
This sad earth, where sin and woe
Seemed to reign o’er all below.

4 Thy appearing, Lord, shall fill
All my thoughts in sorrow’s hour;
Thine appearing, Lord, shall still
All my dread of death’s dark power;
Whether joys or tears be mine,
Through them still Thy light shall shine.

5 Let me, when my course is run,
Calmly leave a world of sadness
For the place that needs no sun,
For Thou art its light and gladness,
For the mansions fair and bright,
Where Thy saints are crowned with light.

Text Information

• First Line: Rise, O Salem, rise and shine!
• Author: J. Rist (1655)
• Meter: 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7.
• Publication Date: 1913
• Topic: The Church Year: Epiphany; Jesus Christ: Our Light; Missions

Tune Information

• Name: [Rise, O Salem, rise and shine!]
• Meter: 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7.
• Key: C Major
• Source: German, 1650