Trinity Hymnal ‎#271

271. How sweet and awful is the place

1 How sweet and awful is the place
With Christ within the doors,
While everlasting love displays
The choicest of her stores.

2 While all our hearts and all our songs
Join to admire the feast,
Each of us cry, with thankful tongues,
"Lord, why was I a guest?

3 "Why was I made to hear thy voice,
And enter while there's room,
When thousands make a wretched choice,
And rather starve than come?"

4 'Twas the same love that spread the feast
That sweetly drew us in;
Else we had still refused to taste,
And perished in our sin.

5 Pity the nations, O our God,
Constrain the earth to come;
Send thy victorious Word abroad,
And bring the strangers home.

6 We long to see thy churches full,
That all the chosen race
May, with one voice and heart and soul,
Sing thy redeeming grace.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: How sweet and awful is the place
• Author: Isaac Watts (1707)
• Meter: C. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1961
• Scripture:
  Luke 14:14-24
• Topic: Calling; The Church: The Church of Christ; The Church: Christ's Presence in; The Church: Growth of; Communion with Christ and God; Election; Holy Scriptures; Salvation by Grace

Tune Information

• Name: ST. COLUMBA
• Meter: C. M.
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: Old Irish Hymn Melody