Church Book ‎#117a

117a. Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates!

1 Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates!
Behold, the King of glory waits;
The King of kings is drawing near,
The Saviour of the world is here;
Life and salvation He doth bring,
Wherefore rejoice, and gladly sing:
We praise Thee, Father, now,
Creator, wise art Thou!

2 The Lord is just, a Helper tried,
Mercy is ever at His side;
His kingly crown is holiness,
His sceptre, pity in distress,
The end of all our woe He brings;
Wherefore the earth is glad and sings:
We praise Thee, Saviour, now,
Mighty in deed are Thou!

3 O blest the land, the city blest,
Where Christ the Ruler is confest!
O happy hearts and happy homes
To whom this King in triumph comes!
The cloudless Sun of joy He is,
Who bringeth pure delight and bliss:
O Comforter Divine,
What boundless grace is Thine!

PART II

4 Fling wide the portals of your heart;
make it a temple, set apart
from earthly use for heaven's employ,
adorned with prayer, and love, and joy;
So shall your Sovereign enter in,
And new and nobler life begin:
To Thee, O God, be praise,
For word and deed and grace!

5 Redeemer, come! I open wide
My heart to Thee; here, Lord, abide!
Let me Thy inner presence feel,
Thy grace and love in me reveal;
Thy Holy Spirit guide us on,
Until our glorious goal be won!
Eternal praise and fame
We offer to Thy Name.

Text Information

• First Line: Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates!
• German Title: Macht hoch die Thür
• Author: George Weissel (1630)
• Translator: Miss Winkworth (1855, a.)
• Meter: 8, 8, 6.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1890
• Topic: Advent; Advent, Third Sunday; Septuagesima Sunday

Tune Information

• Name: MACHT HOCH DIE THÜR
• Meter: 8, 8, 6.
• Key: F Major
• Notes: Composer and source from index: J. Stobaeus, 1634? Crüger's Praxis Pietatis, 1662? Do. 1666?