4 Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In his temple shall appear:
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the new-born King.
James Montgomery, 1771
2 Songs of praise awoke the morn
When the Prince of peace was born;
Songs of praise arose when he,
Captive, led captivity.
3 Heaven and earth must pass away;
Songs of praise shall crown that day;
God will make new heavens and earth;
Songs of praise shall hail their birth.
4 And shall man alone be dumb,
Till that glorious kingdom come?
No! his heart delights to raise
Psalms and hymns and songs of praise.
5 Saints below, with heart and voice, Still in songs of praise rejoice; Learning here, by faith and love, Songs of praise to sing above.
6 Borne upon the latest breath,
Songs of praise shall conquer death;
Then, amidst eternal joy,
Songs of praise our powers employ.
I Sons of men, behold from far,
Hail the long expected star!
Star of truth that gilds the night,
Guides bewildered men aright.
2 Mild it shines on all beneath,
Piercing through the shades of death,
Scattering error's wide-spread night,
Kindling darkness into light.
3 Nations all, remote and near,
Haste to see your Lord appear;
Haste: for him your hearts prepare,
Meet him manifested there.
4 There behold the day-spring rise,
Pouring light on mortal eyes;
See it chase the shades away,
Shining to the perfect day,
Rev. Charles Wesley, 1708
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