19. O Lord, How Shall I Meet You

1 O Lord, how shall I meet you,
How welcome you aright?
Your people long to greet you,
My hope, my heart's delight!
Oh, kindle, Lord most holy,
Your lamp within my breast
To do in spirit lowly
All that may please you best.

2 Your Zion strews before you
Green boughs and fairest palms;
And I too will adore you
With joyous songs and psalms.
My heart shall bloom forever
For you with praises new
And from your name shall never
Withhold the honor due.

3 I lay in fetters, groaning;
You came to set me free.
I stood, my shame bemoaning;
You came to honor me.
A glorious crown you give me,
A treasure safe on high
That will not fail or leave me
As earthly riches fly.

4 Love caused your incarnation;
Love brought you down to me.
Your thirst for my salvation
Procured my liberty.
Oh, love beyond all telling,
That led you to embrace
In love, all love excelling,
Our lost and fallen race.

5 Rejoice, then, you sad-hearted,
Who sit in deepest gloom,
Who mourn your joys departed
And tremble at your doom.
Despair not; he is near you,
There, standing at the door,
Who best can help and cheer you
And bids you weep no more.

6 He comes to judge the nations,
A terror to his foes,
A light of consolations
And blessed hope to those
Who love the Lord's appearing.
O glorious Sun, now come,
Send forth your beams so cheering
And guide us safely home.

Text Information
First Line: O Lord, how shall I meet you
Title: O Lord, How Shall I Meet You
Author: Paul Gerhardt, 1607-76
Meter: 76 76 D
Language: English
Publication Date: 1982
Topic: Advent
Source: Tr.. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.
Tune Information
Name: WIE SOLL ICH DICH EMPFANGEN
Composer: Johann Crüger, 1598-1662
Meter: 76 76 D
Key: D Major
Copyright: Arrangement: Copyright 1982 Concordia Publishing House.



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