Scripture Verse

Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel. Luke 2:29–32

Introduction

Words: Jo­si­ah Con­der, The Con­gre­ga­tion­al Hymn Book (Lon­don: Jackson & Wal­ford, 1836), page 336.

Music: Hun­nys, me­lo­dy from Se­ven Sobs of a Sor­row­ful Soul, 1585 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Josiah Conder
1789–1855

Lyrics

Upon a world of guilt and night,
The Morn­ing-star arose.
Enough! mine eyes have seen its light;
Now wel­come death’s re­pose.

Prophetic joy those words in­spired,
When, in the vir­gin’s Son,
Simeon be­held the long-de­sired,
And blessed God’s Ho­ly One.

“Now let­test Thou Thy ser­vant, Lord!
In peace his soul re­sign:
These eyes, ac­cord­ing to Thy word,
See Ju­dah’s Day-star shine:

The Light of life, whose heal­ing ray
Shall sin’s deep shades dis­pel;
To Gen­tile lands sal­va­tion’s day;
Thy glo­ry, Is­ra­el!

Faith still be­holds her ris­en Lord,
Though hid from mor­tal sight.
Shine forth, O Sav­ior! in Thy word,
And fill the world with light.