Church Book ‎#144

144. Light of the Gentile nations

1 Thou Light of Gentile nations,
Thy people's joy and love!
Drawn by Thy Spirit hither,
We gladly come to prove
Thy presence in Thy temple,
And wait with earnest mind,
As Simeon once had waited
His Saviour God to find.

2 Yes, Lord, Thy servants meet Thee,
Even now, in every place
Where Thy true Word hath promised
That they should see Thy face.
Thou yet wilt gently grant us,
Who gather round Thee here,
In faith's strong arms to bear Thee,
As once that aged seer.

3 Be Thou our Joy, our Brightness,
That shines mid pain and loss,
Our Sun in times of terror,
The glory round our cross:
A glow in sinking spirits,
A sunbeam in distress,
Physician, Friend in sickness,
In death our happiness.

4 Let us, O Lord, be faithful
With Simeon to the end,
That so his dying song may
From all our hearts ascend:
"O Lord, let now Thy servant
Depart in peace for aye,
Since I have seen my Saviour
And here beheld His day."

5 My Saviour, I behold Thee
Now with the eye of Faith:
No foe of Thee can rob me,
Though bitter words he saith.
Within Thy heart abiding,
As Thou dost dwell in me,
No pain, no death has terrors
To part my soul from Thee!

Text Information

• First Line: Light of the Gentile nations
• German Title: Herr Jesu, Licht der Heiden
• Translator: Miss Winkworth (1862)
• Author: John Frank (1653)
• Meter: 7, 6.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1890
• Topic: Epiphany
• Notes: Now Public Domain. Alternate tune #122

Tune Information

• Name: WIE SOLL ICH DICH EMPFANGEN
• Meter: 7, 6.
• Key: E♭ Major
• Notes: Now Public Domain. Composer from index: Joh. Crüger, 1653