Christian Worship ‎#497

497. O Light of Gentile Nations

1 O Light of Gentile nations,
O Savior from above,
drawn by your Spirit's leading,
we come with joy and love
into your holy temple
and wait with rev'rent mind
as Simeon once had waited
his God and Lord to find.

2 Dear Lord, your servants meet you
in ev'ry holy place
where you, yourself have promised
that we should see your face.
Today you still allow us
who gather round you here
in arms of faith to hold you
as did that aged seer.

3 Lord, when life's troubles touch us,
you seem to hide your face,
and through our tears we often
can scarcely sense your grace.
Then be our joy and brightness,
our cheer in pain and loss,
our sun in darkest terror,
the glory round our cross.

4 Let us, O Lord, be faithful
like Simeon to the end
so that his prayer exultant
may from our hearts ascend:
"O Lord, now let your servant
depart in peace, I pray,
since I have seen my Savior
and here beheld his day."

Text Information

• First Line: O Light of Gentile nations
• Title: O Light of Gentile Nations
• Author: Johann Franck, 1618-1677 (abr., adapt.)
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878 (alt.)
• Meter: 76 76 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2021
• Scripture:
  Luke 2:25-32
  ;
  Isaiah 49:6
• Topic: Minor Festivals: Presentation
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: MUNICH
• Arranger: Felix Mendelssohn, 1809-1847
• Meter: 76 76 D
• Key: D Major
• Source: Neu-vermehrtes...Gesangbuch, 3rd ed., Meiningen, 1693
• Copyright: Public Domain