20 November 2009

At the Name of Jesus












At the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow,
Every tongue confess Him King of glory now;
’Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call Him Lord,
Who from the beginning was the mighty Word.

At His voice creation sprang at once to sight,
All the angel faces, all the hosts of light,
Thrones and dominations, stars upon their way,
All the heavenly orders, in their great array.

Humbled for a season, to receive a name
From the lips of sinners unto whom He came,
Faithfully He bore it, spotless to the last,
Brought it back victorious when from death He passed.

Bore it up triumphant with its human light,
Through all ranks of creatures, to the central height,
To the throne of Godhead, to the Father’s breast;
Filled it with the glory of that perfect rest.

In your hearts enthrone Him; there let Him subdue
All that is not holy, all that is not true;
Crown Him as your Captain in temptation’s hour;
Let His will enfold you in its light and power.

Christians, this Lord Jesus shall return again,
With His Father’s glory, with His angel train;
For all wreaths of empire meet upon His brow,
And our hearts confess Him King of glory now.

Glory, then, to Jesus, Who, the Prince of Light,
To a world in darkness brought the gift of sight,
Praise to God the Father; In the Spirit's love
Praise we all together Him who reigns above.
LSB 512

2 comments:

Tapani Simojoki said...

And the setting by R. Vaughan Williams is first class! The man was a typical late Victorian/Edwardian English agnostic, but he had a fine appreciation for church music, and the gift to compose great hymn tunes.

William Weedon said...

Totally agree. A stunning tune and setting. Just an exact match with the words.