3 This heavenly calm within the breast
Is the dear pledge of glorious rest
Which for the church of GOD remains,
The end of cares, the end of pains.
4 With joy, great GOD! Thy works we view
In various scenes both old and new;
With praise we think on mercies passed,
With hope we future pleasures taste.
5 In holy duties let the day,
In holy pleasures, pass away;
How sweet a Sabbath thus to spend
In hope of one that ne'er shall end!
Joseph Stennett, 1663-1713.
HIS day the blessèd LORD of Life
The universe began;
This day the world's Redeemer rose,
O'ercoming death for man.
2 Father of lights! keep us this day
From sinful passions free;
Grant us in every word, and deed,
And thought, to honour Thee.
3 While here, on this Thy holy day,
At this most sacred hour,
Our prayers and praises heavenward rise,
On us Thy blessings shower!
4 Stretch out Thy mighty hand to save!
O hear us in Thy love!
Show us Thy face, and draw our souls
To where Thou dwell'st above.
5 Saviour divine! Thy presence grant,
Purge Thou our sins away,
Give us Thy peace, grant us with Thee
The joys of endless day.
From a Latin Hymn
of the 6th Century.
HIS day at Thy creating word
First o'er the earth the light was
poured;
O LORD, this day upon us shine,
And fill our souls with light divine!
2 This day the LORD for sinners slain
In might victorious rose again;
O JESUS, may we raised be
From death of sin to life in Thee!
3 This day the HOLY SPIRIT came
With fiery tongues of cloven flame;
O SPIRIT, fill our hearts this day
With grace to hear, and grace to pray!
4 O day of light, and life, and grace!
From earthly toils sweet resting-place!
Thy hallowed hours, thou gift of love,
Give we again to GOD above!
HINE on our souls, eternal GOD!
With rays of beauty shine;
O let Thy favour crown our days,
And all their round be Thine.
2 Did we not raise our hands to Thee,
Our hands might toil in vain ;
Small joy success itself could give
If Thou Thy love restrain.
3 With Thee let every week begin;
With Thee each day be spent ;
For Thee each fleeting hour improved,
Since each by Thee is lent.
4 Thus cheer us through the desert road
Till all our labours cease,
And heaven refresh our weary souls
With everlasting peace.
REQUENT the day of GOD returns
To shed its quickening beams,
And yet how slow devotion burns,
How languid are its flames!
2 Accept our faint attempts to love,
Our frailties, LORD! forgive;
We would be like Thy saints above,
And praise Thee while we live.
3 Increase, O LORD! our faith and hope,
And fit us to ascend
Where the assembly ne'er breaks up,
The Sabbath ne'er shall end :
4 Where we shall breathe in heavenly air,
With heavenly lustre shine,
Before the throne of GOD appear,
And feast on love divine;
5 Where we in high seraphic strains
Shall all our powers employ,
Delighted range the ethereal plains,
And take our fill of joy.
WEET is the work, my GOD, my King!
To praise Thy name, give thanks, and
sing;
To show Thy love by morning light,
And talk of all Thy truth at night.
2 Sweet is the day of sacred rest,
No mortal cares shall seize my breast;
O may my heart in tune be found,
Like David's harp of solemn sound!
3 My heart shall triumph in my LORD,
And bless His works, and bless His word;
Thy works of grace, how bright they shine!
How deep Thy counsels, how divine!
4 But I shall share a glorious part
When grace hath well refined my heart,
And fresh supplies of joy are shed
Like holy oil to cheer my head.
5 Sin, my worst enemy before,
Shall vex mine eyes and ears no more;
Mine inward foes shall all be slain,
Nor Satan break my peace again.
6 Then shall I see and hear and know
All I desired or wished below,
And every power find sweet employ
In that eternal world of joy.
HIS is the day of light;
Let there be light to-day!
O Day-spring, rise upon our night
And chase its gloom away!
2 This is the day of rest;
Our failing strength renew!
On weary brain and troubled breast
Shed Thou Thy freshening dew!
This is the day of peace;
Thy peace our spirits fill!
Bid Thou the noise of discord cease,
The waves of strife be still!
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