rich in blessing, Rule and might o'er all possessing.
1 O MORNING Star, how fair and bright
Thou beamest forth in trust and light!
O Sovereign meek and lowly,
Thou Root of Jesse, David's Son,
My Lord and Bridegroom, thou hast won
My heart to serve thee solely!
Holy art thou, fair and glorious,
All victorious, rich in blessing,
Rule and might o'er all possessing.
2 Thou Heavenly Brightness! Light Divine!
O, deep within my heart now shine,
And make thee there an altar!
Fill me with joy and strength to be
Thy member, ever joined to thee
In love that cannot falter;
Toward thee longing doth possess me,
Turn and bless me; for thy gladness
Eye and heart here pine in sadness.
3 But if thou look on me in love,
There straightway falls from God above
A ray of purest pleasure;
Thy word and spirit, flesh and blood,
Refresh my soul with heavenly food,-
Thou art my hidden treasure;
Let thy grace, Lord, warm and cheer me,
O, draw near me: thou hast taught us
Thee to seek, since thou hast sought us!
I DECK thyself, my soul, with gladness,
Leave the gloomy haunts of sadness,
Come into the daylight's splendor;
There with joy thy praises render
Unto him whose grace unbounded
Hath this wondrous banquet founded:
High o'er all the heavens he reigneth,
Yet to dwell with thee he deigneth.
2 Hasten as a bride to meet him,
And with loving reverence greet him,
For with words of life immortal
Now he knocketh at thy portal ;
Haste to ope the gates before him,
Saying, while thou dost adore him,
"Suffer, Lord, that I receive thee,
And I nevermore will leave thee."
In the battle well-nigh worsted,
For this cup of life have thirsted,
For the friend who here invites us,
And to God himself unites us.
4 Now I sink before thee lowly,
Filled with joy most deep and holy,
As with trembling awe and wonder
On thy mighty works I ponder:
How by mystery surrounded,
Depths no man has ever founded,
None may dare to pierce, unbidden,
Secrets that with thee are hidden.
5 Sun, who all my life dost brighten;
Light, who dost my soul enlighten;
Joy, the sweetest man e'er knoweth ;
Fount, whence all my being floweth,
At thy feet I cry, my Maker;
Let me be a fit partaker
3 Ah, how hungers all my spirit
For the love I do not merit !
Oft have I, with fights fast thronging,
Thought upon this food with longing,
Of this blessed food from heaven, For our good, thy glory, given.
Bless-ed Jesus, at thy word We are gathered all to hear thee; Let our hearts and souls be stirr'd
Now to seek and love and fear thee; By thy teachings sweet and holy, Drawn from earth, to love thee solely.
I O WOULD, my God, that I could praise thee
With thousand tongues, by day and night!
How many a song my lips should raise thee,
Who orderest all things here aright;
My thankful heart would ever be
Telling what God hath done for me.
2 O all ye powers that he implanted,
Arise! keep silence thus no more;
Praise pe the Lord.
Put forth the strength that he hath granted;
Your noblest work is to adore.
O soul and body, make ye meet
With heartfelt praise your Lord to greet.
3 Ye forest-leaves so green and tender,
That dance for joy in summer air;
Ye meadow-grasses bright and slender;
Ye flowers so wondrous sweet and fair:
Ye live to show his praise alone;
Help me to make his glory known.
4 O all things that have breath and motion,
That throng with life earth, sea, and sky,
Now join me in my heart's devotion,
Help me to raise his praises high.
My utmost powers can ne'er aright
Declare the wonders of his might.
I PRAISE ye the Lord God, O worship our Father in heaven!
Through his great mercy all blessings to mortals are given;
Join every tongue in glad praise; Bless ye our Father in heaven!
2 Praise his great name, in whose presence the angels are bending;
Praise him whose kindness all nature proclaims never ending;
3 Praise the Almighty, Creator and Ruler most holy;
Whose love, unchanging, forgets not the mighty or lowly;
Sing and rejoice!
Join every tongue in glad praise;
Bless ye our Father in heaven!
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