Scripture Verse

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3

Introduction

Words: Will­iam E. En­man, cir­ca 1910.

Music: Gott sei dank Neu­es geist­reich­es Ge­sang­buch, by Jo­hann A. Frey­ling­hau­sen (Hal­le, Ger­ma­ny: 1704) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

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

portrait
Johann A. Freylinghausen (1670–1739)

Lyrics

Lamb of God, to Thee we raise
Hymns of holy love and praise
For the saint and prophet born
To be herald of the morn.

Like the morning star he rose,
Thine appearing to disclose;
Like an ensign lifted high,
He declared Thy kingdom nigh.

Filled with grace and sanctity
From his blest nativity,
He, the new Elias, came
Bearing zeal’s most sacred flame.

Kinsman of the King divine,
Greatest of the prophet’s line,
Blest forerunner of the Lord,
Who his praises can record?

Mighty preacher, by whose word
Souls to penitence were stirred
Those who long in sin had strayed
Then the call divine obeyed.

Make us, Lord, like him to be
Fearless witnesses for Thee;
Faithful unto death be found,
And at last by Thee be crowned.