Scripture Verse

He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord. John 1:23

Introduction

portrait
Charles Coffin
1676–1749

Words: Charles Cof­fin, Hym­ni Sac­ri, 1736 (Jor­dan­is or­as prae­via). Stanzas 1–3 trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by John Chand­ler, Hymns of the Pri­mi­tive Church, 1837. Stanzas 4–5: trans­la­tor un­known.

Music: Win­ches­ter New Mu­sik­al­isch­es Hand­buch (Ham­burg, Ger­ma­ny: 1690). Har­mo­ny by Will­iam H. Monk, 1847, alt. (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

portrait
William H. Monk
1823–1889

Lyrics

On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Come, then, and hearken, for He brings
Glad tidings from the King of kings.

E’en now the air, the sea, the land,
Feel that their Maker is at hand;
The very elements rejoice;
And welcome Him with cheerful voice.

Then cleansed be every Christian breast,
And furnished for great a Guest!;
Yea, let us each our hearts prepare,
For Christ to come and enter there

For Thou art our salvation, Lord—
Our refuge, and our great reward;
Without Thy grace, our souls must fade
And wither like a flower decayed.

Stretch forth Thine hand, to heal our sore,
And make us rise and fall no more;
Once more upon Thy people shine,
And fill the world with love divine.

To Him, who left the throne of Heav­en
To save mankind, all praise be given!
Like praise be to the Father done,
And Holy Spirit—Three in One!