The New English Hymnal ‎#502

502. Saviour eternal!

1 Saviour eternal!
Health and life of the world unfailing.

2 Light everlasting!
And in verity our redemption,

3 Grieving that the ages of men must perish
Thro' the tempter's subtlety,

4 Still in heav'n abiding, thou cames earth-ward
Of thine own great clemency:

5 Then freely and graciously
Deigning to assume humanity,

6 To lost ones and perishing
Gavest thou thy free deliverance,
Filling all the world with joy.

7 O Christ, our souls and bodies cleanse
By thy perfect sacrifice;

8 That we as temples pure and bright
Fit for thine abode may be.

9 By thy former advent justify,

10 By thy second grant us liberty:

11 That when in the might of glory
Thou descendest, Judge of all,

12 We in raiment undefiled,
Bright may shine, and ever follow,
Lord, thy footsteps blest, where'er they lead us.

Text Information

• First Line: Saviour eternal!
• Translator: M. J. Blacker, 1822-88
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: Advent Sequence; The Christian Year: Advent
• Source: Before 11th Century

Tune Information

• Name: SALUS AETERNA
• Key: a minor
• Source: Mode vii
• Copyright: Arr. by permission of Oxford University Press (from "English Hymnal," 1933)