American Lutheran Hymnal ‎#324

324. O How Shall I Receive Thee

1 O how shall I receive Thee,
How welcome Thee aright?
All nations long to greet Thee,
My Hope, my heart's Delight!
O kindle, dearest Jesus,
Thy fire within my breast,
That I may know what pleases Thee,
Lord, my heav'nly Guest.

2 Glad Zion strews before Thee
Green boughs and fairest palms,
And I too will adore Thee
With sweetest songs and psalms;
My heart shall bloom forever
for Thee with praises new,
And from Thy name shall never
withhold the honor due.

3 I lay in fetters groaning,
Thou com'st to set me free;
I stood, my shame bemoaning,
Thou com'st to honor me;
A glory Thou dost give me,
A treasure safe on high,
That will not fail nor leave me
As earthly riches fly.

4 No other impulse led Thee
To leave Thy throne above,
Upon Thine errand sped Thee,
Than world-embracing love!
A love that deeply feeleth
The wants and woes of men;
No tongue its fullness telleth,
It passeth human ken.

5 Rejoice then, ye sad-hearted,
Who sit in deepest gloom,
Who mourn o'er joys departed
And tremble at your doom;
Despair not, He is near you,
Yea, standing at the door,
Who best can help and cheer you,
And bid you weep no more.

Text Information

• First Line: O how shall I receive Thee
• Title: O How Shall I Receive Thee
• Author: Paul Gerhardt (1653)
• Meter: 7 6 7 6 D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1930
• Topic: The Church Year: Advent
• Source: Tr. Composite

Tune Information

• Name: TESCHNER
• Composer: M. Teschner (1613)
• Meter: 7 6 7 6 D.
• Key: C Major
• Source: German chorale: Valet will ich dir geben