O Thou from all eternity, Who didst descend to come and be

Verse 1

O Thou from all eternity! Who did'st decend to come and be An infant brought before the Lord, As was directed in his word.

Verse 2

Thy presence caus'd thy Saint's rejoice: They with thanksgiving rais'd their voice, To see the Lord whom they had sought Into the Holy Temple brought.

Verse 3

That which is to the world unknown To ev'ry seeking soul is shown; They who do humbly seek their God, Shall have such grace on them bestow'd.

Verse 4

God's counsels they are truly great, Yet such as humbly on him wait; To such the Lord will still unfold, As unto Simeon of old.

Verse 5

Their Lord and Saviour they shall find: They see him with the eye of mind; Their hearts with faith and hopes are fill'd, Thus is their Lord to them reveal'd.

Verse 6

But sorrow mingle with their joys, And otherwise their mind employs: As was the Virgin Mary's case, Tho' she embrac'd the king of peace.

Verse 7

Her darling son, was Christ indeed, Who came to crush the Serpants head, But O, the tooth that pierc'd his heel! What sorrows it caus'd her to feel.

Verse 8

As Simeon there had prophecied, Her dearest son was crucified; The sight thereof it was a dart, A sword that pierc'd her tender heart.

Verse 9

Thus we rejoice and mourn again, Our joys and hopes are oftimes slain; But still our faith and hope increase, Till we depart this world in peace.