Ah, then the Christ my sin revealed, And bade me cast the barrier down, And rise to things from eyes concealed, More lasting than the world"s renown.
IV
I found the pathway to the cross, And lo, my blindness pa.s.sed away, For radiant sunlight swept across The darkness that had led astray.
V
"Twas then that Christ, in all His love, In all His beauty won my soul;-- Now, for the treasures stored above, I thrust aside the world"s control.
I
O Lord, Thou in the hour of need, Didst succour those who sought Thine aid,-- The faint revive, the hungry feed,-- And on the sick thine hand was laid.
II
Our needy souls Thy help would crave, For faint they droop, and hungry pine,-- Lord, from their mortal sickness save, And heal them by Thy power divine.
III
Where memories weave a sombre web, And sighs reveal the heart distressed, Where joys that flowed, in murmurs ebb, And buoyant souls are sore oppressed;
IV
Come as of yore, all helpful, come, And let Thy loving kindness bless, That, where the voice of praise is dumb, Songs may arise of thankfulness.
I
My harp upon the willows, grave, In weeping days is sadly hung, For, Lord, the joy Thy presence gave, Is from my soul in anguish wrung.
II
I think upon the peaceful hours, With Thy companionship to please; But now the world is shorn of flowers, And birds are mute among the trees.
III
Wilt Thou not come as morning light?
As spring that wakes the sleeping earth?
As zephyrs on the tuneless night, To stir my soul to holy mirth?
IV
O matchless Love! for me expressed, O gift of Love surpa.s.sing great!
Wake love responsive in my breast, And make my drooping soul elate.
V
My heart is strung; up heart, proclaim In joyful strains the Love divine, That stooped from highest heaven, and came To earth to save this soul of mine;
VI
To free my heart from carking cares, From trusting aught to fleshly aid; To shew me sin"s seductive snares, That for unwary feet are laid.
VII
Blest Spirit of my G.o.d, return, And o"er my life resume Thy sway, That love within my soul may burn, And quicken joy from day to day.
I
To Thee my soul enraptured sings, O Thou, Immortal King of kings Enthroned where glory shines; The garland of the praises sweet, That I would offer at Thy feet, My grateful heart entwines.
II
More rare Thy beauty than the best By highest heaven or earth possessed; More radiant than the sun, The glory shining from Thy face That fills with light the holy place, O Thou Immortal One!
III
Greater Thy might than lord of war,-- Thy vast dominions stretch afar Beyond a kingly sway; Thy hand upholds the earth and sea, And heaven, and all that therein be, Thy wise decrees obey.
IV
But not by rule of power alone Are subjects loyal to Thy throne, Thy love their fealty wins,-- A love that, by its winning grace Allured our fallen, guilty race From their rebellious sins.
V
Lord, by Thy cross that won my soul, From bondage to benign control, My every power possess; That, daily, I my cross may bear, And find, to serve Thee everywhere, Is praising Thee the best.
VI
To Thee my soul enraptured sings, O Thou Immortal King of kings, But I would join the song, Of myriad souls in realms of light, Who praise their King by day and night, Through all the ages long.
MODERN GREEK HYMNS
{Christos ho Logos me theoi sarkoumenos.}