Hymnal for Church and Home ‎#78

78. O How Shall I Receive Thee

1 O how shall I receive Thee,
How greet Thee, Lord, aright?
All nations long to see Thee,
My Hope, my heart's Delight!
O kindle, Lord most holy,
Thy fire within my breast,
To do in spirit lowly
All that may please Thee best.

2 Thy Zion palms is strewing,
And branches fresh and fair;
My heart, its pow'rs renewing,
An anthem shall prepare.
My soul puts off her sadness
Thy glory to proclaim;
With all her strength and gladness
She fain would serve Thy name.

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 Love caused Thine incarnation,
Love brought Thee down to me;
Thy thirst for my salvation
Procur'd my liberty.
O love beyond all telling,
That led Thee to embrace,
In love all love excelling,
Our lost and fallen race!

5 Rejoice then, ye sad-hearted,
Who sit in deepest gloom,
Who mourn o'er joys departed,
And tremble at your doom:
He who alone can cheer you
Is standing at the door;
He brings His pity near you,
And bids you weep no more.

Text Information

• First Line: O how shall I receive Thee
• Title: O How Shall I Receive Thee
• Author: Paul Gerhardt (1652)
• Meter: 7, 6, 8L.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1927
• Topic: Advent
• Notes: Danish first line: Hvorledes skal jeg møde; Translator: A. T. Russell, 1851

Tune Information

• Name: [O how shall I receive Thee]
• Meter: 7, 6, 8L.
• Key: A Major
• Source: Zinck's Koralbog, 1801