Scripture Verse

God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you. Acts 3:26

Introduction

portrait
Samuel Wesley (1810–1876)

Words: Tho­mas Da­vis, Hymns Old and New (Lon­don: Long­man, Green, Long­man, Ro­berts & Green, 1864), num­ber 45.

Music: Al­ces­ter Sam­uel S. Wes­ley, in A Se­lect­ion of Psalms and Hymns, by Charles Kem­ble (Lon­don: John F. Shaw, 1864), num­ber 35 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Da­vis (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Born to bless us, born to save!
Praise His name with joy­ful breath!
Sing through life, nor fear the grave!
Jesus lives to con­quer death!

Every birth is changed from hence;
Each may take a path­way bright;
Reaching soon the tomb, but thence
Issuing in un­fad­ing light.

Humblest cra­dles now shall show,
Clearly show to lov­ing eyes,
Oft while tears of rap­ture flow,
Flowerets born for Pa­ra­dise.

Parents now shall sink to rest,
Hoping soon to clasp in Heav’n,
Lovely as a se­raph blest,
Every child whom God hath giv’n.

Parents, children, young and old,
If but strong in faith and love,
Shall, with gra­ti­tude un­told,
Oft fore­taste the joys ab­ove.

Lowly Babe of Beth­le­hem!
Glorious Lord of life and light!
Humble branch of Jes­se’s stem!
God! Thy grace is in­fi­nite.