2. Thy Zion strews before Thee Green boughs and fairest palms, And I, too, will adore Thee With sweetest songs and psalms. My heart shall bloom forever For Thee with praises new And from Thy name shall never Withhold the honor due. 3. What hast Thou left ungranted To give me glad relief? When soul and body panted In utmost depth of grief, In deepest degradation, Devoid of joy and peace, Then Thou, my soul’s Salvation, Didst come to bring release. 4. I lay in fetters groaning, Thou com’st to set me free; I stood, my shame bemoaning, Thou com’st to honor me; A glory Thou dost give me, A treasure safe on high, That will not fail or leave me As earthly riches fly. 5. Naught, naught, dear Lord, could move Thee To leave Thy rightful place Save love, for which I love Thee; A love that could embrace A world where sorrow dwelleth, Which sin and suffering fill, More than the tongue e’er telleth;— Yet Thou couldst love it still! 6. Rejoice, then, ye sad-hearted, Who sit in deepest gloom, Who mourn o’er joys departed And tremble at your doom. Despair not, He is near you, Yea, standing at the door, Who best can help and cheer you And bid you weep no more. 7. No care nor effort either Is needed day or night How ye may draw Him hither In your own strength and might. He comes, He comes with gladness, Moved by His love alone, To calm your fear and sadness, To Him they well are known. 8. Sin’s debt, that fearful burden, Let not your souls distress; Your guilt the Lord will pardon And cover with His grace. He comes, He comes, procuring The peace of sin forgiv’n, To all God’s sons securing Their part and lot in heav’n. 9. Why should the wicked move you? Heed not their craft and spite! Your Savior, who doth love you, Will scatter all their might. He comes, a King most glorious, And all His earthly foes In vain His course victorious Endeavor to oppose. 10. He comes to judge the nations, A terror to His foes, A Light of consolations And blessed Hope to those Who love the Lord’s appearing. O glorious Sun, now come, Send forth Thy beams so cheering And guide us safely home! Paul Gerhardt, 1653. 137 S. M. The Advent of our God Our prayers must now employ, And we must meet Him on His road With hymns of holy joy. 2. The everlasting Son Incarnate deigns to be; Himself a servant’s form puts on To set His people free. 3. Daughter of Zion, rise And greet thy lowly King, And do not wickedly despise The mercies He will bring.