Paul Gerhardt's Spiritual Songs Part 4

The Lord who bears our sin is here, Who'll bruise the serpent's head is near, The Death of death--the Woe of h.e.l.l-- The Lord of Life with us doth dwell.

All foes are put our feet beneath, For sin and Satan, h.e.l.l and death, Are brought to shame and put to flight Upon this great, this wondrous night.

Oh! happy world, thrice happy they!

Who on this lowly infant stay Their souls, and with believing eyes In Him their Saviour recognize.

Now praise the Lord whoe'er can praise, Who from their low estate to raise His enemies, from His high throne Sent down His lov'd, His only Son.

Up! join the angel host and cry, Now glory be to G.o.d most High; Let peace prevail the world around, Good-will to men and joy abound.

NOW WITH JOY MY HEART IS BOUNDING.

Now with joy my heart is bounding, With delight Angels bright Praises forth are sounding.

Hark! hark! how the choirs of Heaven, Through the sky Raise the cry, Christ to you is given!

He who's mighty to deliver, Goes that He Earth may free From all woes for ever.

G.o.d is man, man to deliver, His dear Son Now is one With our blood for ever.

G.o.d in us must now take pleasure, For He gives Whom He loves Far beyond all measure.

To redeem us He hath given His own Son From the throne Of His might in Heaven.

Who Himself and Kingdom ever, Giveth free, Oh! could He Drive us from Him?--never!

Will not G.o.d's own Son now bless us?

He who loves And removes All things that distress us!

Had our human nature ever By the Lord Been abhorr'd, He had been man never.

Had our Lord delighted ever In our grief, He relief Would have brought us never.

All transgression He a.s.sumeth, That we've done 'Neath the sun, And our Lamb becometh.

As our Lamb His life is given, So that we, From death free, May have peace and Heaven!

Now He's in the manger lying, Me and thee Calleth He, In sweet accents crying, "Banish, brethren, what's distressing, All your ills, All that falls, I bring times of blessing."

Come, and let us now go thither, Let us all, Great and small.

Flock in crowds together.

Love Him who with deep love burneth, See the light He so bright Kindly on us turneth.

Ye who sink in deepest anguish, Look ye here, Joy is near, Grieve no more, nor languish.

Cleave to Him and He will bring you To the place, By His grace, Where no pain will wring you.

All ye hearts, oppress'd with sorrow, Ye who feel Sin's sore ill And conviction's arrow, Courage now! for One is living Who hath skill You to heal, All your pain relieving.

All ye poor ones and distressed, Come--come ye Take--'tis free, Of His store so blessed.

Here do all good gifts flow over, Here is gold Stores untold!

Here your hearts recover!

Gracious Saviour! deign to hear me, And let me Hang on thee, Undisturb'd stay near Thee.

Of my life Thou art the Giver, I through Thee Joyfully Live contented ever.

Guilt no longer can distress me, Son of G.o.d!

Thou my load Bearest to release me.

Stain in me Thou findest never, I am clean, All my sin Is remov'd for ever.

For Thy sake I'm clean all over, Thou dost me Graciously With fair raiment cover.

To my heart's throne I will raise thee, Glory mine!

Flow'r divine!

Let me love and praise Thee.

Diligently I'll preserve Thee, To the skies To Thee rise, Here live for and serve Thee.

With Thee I at last shall wander, Joyfully, Endlessly, And in glory yonder!

A CAROL.

Come, and Christ the Lord be praising, Heart and mind to Him be raising, Celebrate His love amazing, Worthy folk of Christendom!

Sin, death, h.e.l.l, may all be grieving, Satan shame feel to him cleaving, We salvation free receiving, Cast our every care away.

See what G.o.d for us provideth, Life that in His Son abideth, And our weary steps He guideth From earth's woe to heav'nly joy.

His soul deeply for us feeleth, He His love to us revealeth, He who in the heavens dwelleth Came to save us from our foe.

Jacob's star His advent maketh, Soothes the longing heart that acheth, And the serpent's head He breaketh, Scattering the pow'r of h.e.l.l.

Op'd hath He and freedom gain'd us From the prison that contain'd us, Where much grief and sorrow pain'd us, And our hearts were bow'd with woe.

O bless'd hour when we received From the foe who us deceived Liberty, when we believed, And Thee, gracious Savior, prais'd.

Beauteous Infant in the manger, O befriend us! beyond danger Bring us where is turn'd G.o.d's anger, Where with angel hosts we'll praise!

AT THE MANGER.

Thy manger is My paradise, O Jesus Christ!

Where feeds my soul delighted.

There 'fore mine eyes The Word now lies, Who to our flesh In person is united.

Whom wind and sea Obey, e'en He In servant's form And place for men's appearing.

G.o.d's own Son, Thou a.s.sumest now Clay weak and mean, Such as our own, art wearing!

Thou, highest Good!

Dost raise our blood Up to Thy throne, High o'er all heights whatever!

Pow'r endless, Thou Art brother now To us who like The gra.s.s and flowers, wither!