Scripture Verse

They brought Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord. Luke 2:22

Introduction

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John Chandler
1806–1876
National Portrait Gallery

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Words: Se­bas­ti­en Bes­nault, in the re­vised Pa­ris Bre­vi­ary, 1736, as the hymn for the Feast of the Cir­cum­ci­sion at Ma­tins (Fel­ix di­es quem prop­rio). Trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by John Chand­ler, Hymns of the Pri­mi­tive Church, 1837.

Music: Das walt Gott Va­ter, me­lo­dy by Da­ni­el Vet­ter, cir­ca 1718. Adapt­ed and har­mo­nized by Jo­hann S. Bach (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

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Johann S. Bach
1685–1750

Lyrics

O happy day, when first was poured
The blood of our redeeming Lord!
O happy day, when first began
His sufferings for sinful man!

Just entered on this world of woe,
His blood already learned to flow;
His future death was thus expressed,
And thus His early love confessed.

From Heaven descending to fulfill
The mandates of His Father’s will,
E’en now behold the victim lie,
The Lamb of God, prepared to die!

Lord, circumcise our hearts, we pray,
Our fleshly natures purge away;
Thy name, Thy likeness may they bear:
Yea, stamp Thy holy image there!

O Lord, the virgin born, to Thee
Eternal praise and glory be,
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost forevermore.