Let Thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let Thy saints rejoice in goodness.
2 Chronicles 6:41
Words: Verses 1–2, Charles Wesley, Short Hymns (Bristol, England: E. Farley, 1762), volume 1, number 656. Verses 3–6 appeared, with their author unnamed (Wesley?), in A Selection of Hymns, from Various Authors, Designed as a Supplement to the Methodist Pocket Hymn Book, first edition (New York: 1808), alt.
Music: Brown William B. Bradbury, 1844 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Jesus, the word of mercy give,
And let it swiftly run,
And let the priests themselves believe,
And put salvation on.
Clothed in the Spirit’s holiness
May all Thy people prove
The plenitude of Gospel grace
The joy of perfect love.
Jesus, let all Thy lovers shine,
Illustrious, as the sun;
And bright with borrowed rays divine,
Their glorious circuit run.
Beyond the reach of mortals spread
Their light where’er they go;
Heavenly influence may they shed
On all the world below.
As giants may they run their race,
Exulting in their might:
As burning luminaries chase
The gloom of hellish night.
As the bright Son of Righteousness
Their healing wings display;
And let their luster still increase
Unto the perfect day.