The Presence of Christ the Joy of His People

1 The wondring nations have beheld
The sacred prophesy fulfill'd,
And angels hail'd the glorious morn,
That shew'd the great Messiah born;

2 The prince! the Savior! long desir'd,
Whom men foretold, by heaven inspir'd,
And raptur'd saw the blissful day
Rise o'er the world with healing ray.

3 Oft, in the temples of his grace
His saints behold his smiling face:
And oft have seen his glory shine,
With power and majesty divine:

4 But soon, alas! his absence mourn,
And pray and wish his kind return;
Without his life-inspiring light,
'Tis all a scene of gloomy night.

5 Come, dearest Lord, thy children cry,
Our graces droop, our comforts die;
Return, and let thy glories rise
Again to our admiring eyes;

6 'Till fill'd with light, and joy, and love,
Thy courts below, like those above,
Triumphant hallelujahs raise,
And heaven and earth resound thy praise.


Source: A Selection of Hymns: from the best authors, intended to be an appendix to Dr. Watt's psalms and hymns. (1st Am. ed.) #CDIV