Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord

Tune: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland

  1. Let the earth now praise the Lord,
    Who hath truly kept His word
    And the sinners’ Help and Friend
    Now at last to us doth send.

  2. What the fathers most desired,
    What the prophets’ heart inspired,
    What they longed for many‿a year,
    Stands fulfilled in glory here.

  3. Abram’s promised great Reward,
    Zion’s Helper, Jacob’s Lord—
    Him of twofold race behold—
    Truly came, as long foretold.

  4. Welcome, O my Savior, now!
    Hail! My Portion, Lord, art Thou.
    Here, too, in my heart, I pray,
    Oh, prepare Thyself a way!

  5. King of Glory, enter in;
    Cleanse it from the filth of sin,
    As Thou hast so often done;
    It belongs to Thee alone.

  6. As Thy coming was in peace,
    Quiet, full of gentleness,
    Let the same mind dwell in me
    That was ever found in Thee.

  7. Comfort my desponding heart;
    Thou my Strength and Refuge art.
    I am weak, and cunningly
    Satan lays his snares for me.

  8. Bruise for me the Serpent’s head
    That, set free from doubt and dread,
    I may cleave to Thee in faith,
    Safely kept through life and death.

  9. And when Thou dost come again
    As a glorious King to reign,
    I with joy may see Thy face,
    Freely ransomed by Thy grace.

Gott sei Dank durch alle Welt
Heinrich Held, 1659
Tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1863
St. 7 tr. anon.
Source: The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, No. 91


German Text (coming soon)