Thou bidd'st us visit in distress

Verse 1

You bid us visit in distress The widow and the parentless, But will you leave us comfortless? Will you depart? Will you, O Lord, your church forsake? Must she a widow's garments make? Will you your children orphans make? O grief of heart.

Verse 2

No! Christ will visit in distress The widow and the parentless. He seems to leave you comfortless But loves you most: For he departs so he may send Another Comforter and Friend To stay with you until the end, The Holy Ghost.

Verse 3

And now the fortieth from rebirth To endless life from womb of earth Will be a day of joy and mirth In realms above, For though your earthly course will end, To Zion's gates you will ascend To be our great High Priest and send The heav'nly Dove.

Verse 4

Why then this sorrow and dismay? It's good he now should go away; He goes so for you he may pray And never cease; He goes as man so you may see By faith his present deity, So here the Comforter may be, And give you peace.