FOR THE EVENING.
VI.
[Giver of the nightly songs]
[_]
To—“Hearts of stone, relent, relent.”
Giver of the nightly songs,
Fain we would Thy glory raise,
Pay Thee what to Thee belongs,
All our life and all our praise;
But till Thou Thy blood apply,
Thee we cannot glorify.
Thou hast bought us with Thy blood,
Yet we still in Egypt dwell,
Strangers to a dying God,
Till Thou dost Thyself reveal:
Hear us for redemption groan,
Claim the prisoners for Thine own.
Mightier than the mighty, seize
Whom Thou hast redeem'd of old,
Us the slaves of man release,
Us to sin and Satan sold,
Bid Thy ransom'd creatures rise,
Bear away the lawful prize.
Set our hearts at liberty,
Through the power of pardoning grace,
Then we shall give thanks to Thee,
Publish our Redeemer's praise,
Chant the Lamb like those above,
Only live to sing and love.
VII.
[Come, Son of Abraham and of God]
[_]
To—“With pity, Lord, a sinner see.”
Come, Son of Abraham and of God,
Saviour on the world bestow'd,
To ransom and to bless;
And let our souls, possess'd of Thee,
The true complete felicity,
The sovereign Good, possess.
Thy faithful word and oath we plead:
Show Thyself the promised Seed,
The all-redeeming Lord;
And let us in Thy favour find
And in Thy purity of mind
Our paradise restored.
In this thrice acceptable hour
Exercise Thy pardoning power,
Our curse and sin remove;
Admit us to the gospel feast,
And give our new-born souls to taste
The blessedness of love.
In peace incomprehensible
Pardon on our conscience seal,
In joy and love unknown:
O'erwhelm us with the blissful sight
Which sinks the first-born sons of light
In silence round Thy throne.
