Author: John of Damascus, 685-649; William C. Dix Meter: 7.6.7.6 D Appears in 1 hymnal Lyrics: 1 Bend to our hymns, Redeemer,
The foe’s high brow bring low;
Thou from on high beholdest
Each sin which works our woe;
Yet us, Thine own, Most Holy,
Who steadfastly believe,
Thy minstrels, truly faithful,
Thyself in love receive.
2 The band of herdsmen chosen
The strange new sight to see,
Was troubled at beholding
The wondrous mystery:
The offspring of a maiden,
Incarnate without seed,
This, this the passing marvel
No human mind can read.
3 O sight all unaccustomed,
Their monarch, Christ the Lord,
They see by tuneful cohorts
Of seraphim adored;
In tender loving-kindness
He comes, who rules the sky,
And born of maid unwedded,
Fulfills His promise high.
4 Erewhile without a body,
The Essence flesh was made;
The Word took matter to Him
From Mary, stainless maid:
That to Himself, us sinners,
The guilty sons of men,
Creation’s fallen chieftains,
He might draw back again.
Used With Tune: EWING Text Sources: Tr.: Lyra Messianica by Orby Shipley (London: Longman, Green, Longman, roberts & Green, 1864)
Bend To Our Hymns, Redeemer