Unto Him whose grace unbounded
Hath this wondrous banquet founded;
High o'er all the heavens He reigneth,
Yet to dwell with thee He deigneth.
2. Hasten as a bride to meet Him,
And with loving reverence greet Him,
For with words of life immortal
Now He knocketh at thy portal;
Haste to ope the gates before Him,
Saying, while thou dost adore Him:
"Suffer, Lord, that I receive Thee,
And I never more will leave Thee."
3. He who precious goods desireth
To obtain, much gold require th;
But to give us every treasure
Of Thy love, is Thy good pleasure;
For there is on earth no coffer
Which as payment we might offer
For this cup, Thy blood containing,
And this manna, on us raining.
4. Ah, how hungers all my spirit For the love I do not merit!
Oft have I, with sighs fast thronging,
Thought upon this food with longing,
In the battle well-nigh_worsted,
For this cup of life I thirsted,
For the Friend who here invites us,
And to God Himself unites us.
5. Now I sink before Thee lowly, Filled with joy most deep and holy, As with trembling awe and wonder On Thy mighty works I ponder: How, by mystery surrounded, Depths no man hath ever sounded None may dare to pierce unbidden, Secrets that with Thee are hidden.
6. Human wisdom vainly ponders,
It will ne'er explain these wonders,
That this bread doth never perish,
Although millions it doth nourish;
And that Christ His blood is giving
With the wine we are receiving.
Ah! these mysteries unsounded
Are by God alone expounded.
7. Sun who all my life dost brighten,
Light, who dost my soul enlighten,
Joy, the sweetest, man e'er knoweth,
Fount, whence all my being floweth,
At Thy feet I cry, my Maker,
Let me be a fit partaker,
Of this blessed food from heaven,
For our good, Thy glory, given.
8. Lord, Thy holy love hath driven.
Thee to leave Thy throne in heaven,
For us on the cross to languish,
And to die in bitter anguish,
To forego all joy and gladness,
And to shed Thy blood in sadness.
Now we drink this blood, and never
Will forget Thy love, dear Saviour.
9. Christ, true bread of Life, I pray Thee,
Let me gladly here obey Thee,
Never to my hurt invited,
Be Thy love with love requited;
From this banquet let me measure,
Lord, how vast and deep its treasure;
Through the gifts Thou here dost give me.
As Thy guest in heaven receive me.
1. O JESUS, dearest Lord, to Thee
My fervent thanks shall ever be,
Which now Thy love on me bestowed.
For Thy true flesh and precious blood
2. Break forth in praise, rejoice, my heart: Exceeding riches is my part,
My Jesus now in me doth dwell;
My joy and bliss no tongue can tell.
1. OUT of the depths I cry to Thee,
Lord, hear me, I implore Thee!
Bend down Thy gracious ear to me,
My prayer let come before Thee!
If Thou remember each misdeed,
If each should have its rightful meed,
Who may abide Thy presence?
2. Our pardon is Thy gift, Thy love And grace alone avail us;
Our works could ne'er our guilt remove,
The strictest life must fail us,
Before Thee none of aught can boast,
We're 'midst our fairest actions lost,
And live alone through mercy.
3. Therefore my hope is in His grace,
And not in my own merit;
On Him my confidence I place,
Instructed by His Spirit;
His precious word hath promised me
He will my joy and comfort be,
Thereon is my reliance.
4. And though it tarry till the night,
And round till morning waken,
My heart shall ne'er mistrust His might,
Nor count itself forsaken.
Do thus, O ye of Israel's seed,
Ye of the Spirit born indeed,
Wait for your God's appearing.
5. Though great our sins and sore our woes, His grace much more aboundeth;
His helping love no limit knows,
Our utmost need it soundeth.
Our Shepherd kind and true is He,
Who shall at last set Israel free
From all their sin and sorrow.
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