Scripture Verse

Call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord. Isaiah 58:13

Introduction

Words & Mu­sic: George F. Root, The Prize (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: John Church, 1870) (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
George F. Root (1820–1895)

Lyrics

On this pleasant Sabbath day,
Let us sing a joyful lay,
To the God who reigns
In earth and Heav’n above.
He has kept us thro’ the week,
And today His smiles we seek,
And we humbly ask
His blessing and His love.

Refrain

Sing, O sing a joyful song,
Youthful hearts the strain prolong,
Let us ask the Lord we praise,
In our best and sweetest lays,
For His blessing
In our happy Sabbath throng.

He has kept us free from harm
By His kind and mighty arm,
And He gives us here
His Word to guide our feet;
May we learn it now in love,
And direct our thoughts above,
Where about His throne
The happy angels meet.

Refrain

Praise to Him who will not fail
When our enemies assail,
And when dangers cluster
Thickly where we stand,
He will bring us safe at last,
Where the dangers are all past,
To our happy homes
In His celestial land.

Refrain