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Words: Heinrich Held, 1659; translated from German to English by Catherine Winkworth, 1863 (stanza 7 unknown).
Music: "Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland," Enchiridion Oder Handbnchlein, Johann Walther (Wittenberg, Germany: 1524); harmony by Johann Sebastian Bach
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Let the earth now praise the Lord.
Who hath truly kept His Word
And the sinners' Help and Friend
Now at last to us doth send.
What the fathers most desired,
What the prophet's heart inspired,
What they longed for many a year,
Stands fulfilled in glory here.
Abram's promised great Reward,
Zion's Helper, Jacob's Lord,
Him of twofold race behold,
Truly came, as long foretold.
Welcome, O my Savior, now!
Hail! My Portion, Lord, art Thou.
Here, too, in my heart, I pray,
Oh, prepare Thyself a way!
King of Glory, enter in;
Cleanse it from the filth of sin,
As Thou hast so often done;
It belongs to Thee alone.
As Thy coming was in peace,
Quiet, full of gentleness,
Let the same mind dwell in me
That was ever found in Thee.
Comfort my desponding heart:
Thou my Strength and Refuge art.
I am weak, and cunningly
Satan lays his snares for me.
Bruise for me the Serpent's head,
That, set free from doubt and dread,
I may cleave to Thee in faith,
Safely kept through life and death.
And when Thou dost come again
As a glorious King to reign,
I with joy may see Thy face,
Freely ransomed by Thy grace.
Hymns supplied through the gracious generosity of the Cyber Hymnal Website