Omits stanzas 3, 4, 7, and 9.

1. Ah! Lord, how shall I meet Thee,
   How welcome Thee aright?
   All nations long to greet Thee,
   My hope, my sole delight!
   Brighten the lamp that burneth
   But dimly in my breast,
   And teach my soul, that yearneth
   To honour such high guest.

2. Thy Zion strews before Thee
   Her fairest buds and palms,
   And I too will adore Thee
   With sweetest songs and psalms;
   My soul breaks forth in flowers
   Rejoicing in Thy fame,
   And summons all her powers
   To honour Jesus’ name.

5. Nought, nought, 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. O ye sad hearts that sicken
   With hope deferred, and see
   The gloom around you thicken,
   The joys ye hoped for flee,—
   Despair not, He is near you,
   Yea, at the very door,
   Who best can help and cheer you,
   He will not linger more.

8. Nor sin shall make you fearful,
   Ashamed to see His face,
   The contrite heart and tearful
   He covers with His grace;
   He comes to heal the spirit
   That moumeth sin-oppressed,
   And raise us to inherit
   With Him our proper rest.

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 of cheering
    And guide us safely home!