The Worshipbook ‎#506

506. O How Shall We Receive You

1 O how shall we receive you,
How meet you on your way,
Blest hope of every nation,
Our soul's delight and stay?
O Jesus, Jesus, give us
Now by your own pure light
To know whate'er is pleasing
And welcome in your sight.

2 Your Zion palms is spreading,
And branches fresh and fair;
Our souls, to praise awaking,
An anthem shall prepare.
Unending thanks and praises
From our glad hearts shall spring;
And to your name the service
Of all our powers we bring.

3 Love caused your incarnation,
Love blessed humanity.
Your thirst for our salvation
Procured our liberty.
O love beyond all telling,
That led you to embrace,
In love all love excelling,
Our lost and troubled race.

4 You came, O Lord, with gladness,
In mercy and goodwill,
To bring an end to sadness
And bid our fears be still.
We welcome you, our Savior;
Come, gather us to you,
That in your light eternal
Our joyous home we'll view.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: O how shall we receive you
• Title: O How Shall We Receive You
• Translator: Arthur Tozer Russell (1851)
• Author: Paul Gerhardt (1653)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6.D.
• Publication Date: 1972
• Scripture:
  John 1:12
• Topic: Christian Year: Advent; Christian Year: Palm Sunday
• Copyright: Words altered from Hymnal for Colleges and Schools, edited by E. Harold Geer; used by permission of Yale University Press.
• Notes: and others; As in Hymnal for Colleges and Schools, 1956; alt., 1972

Tune Information

• Name: ST. THEODULPH
• Composer: Melchoir Teschner (1615)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6.D.
• Key: B♭ Major