The Otterbein Hymnal Part 7

Isaac Watts, 1707

44 Mendebras. 7s & 6s. D.

_The Sabbath Holy._

O day of rest and gladness, O day of joy and light!

O balm of care and sadness, Most beautiful, most bright!

On thee, the high and lowly, Before th' eternal throne, Sing Holy! Holy! Holy!

To the great Three in One.

2 On thee, at the creation.

The light first had its birth; On thee for our salvation, Christ rose from depths of earth.

On thee, our Lord, victorious, The Spirit sent from heaven, And thus on thee, most glorious, A triple light was given.

3 New graces ever gaining From this our day of rest, We reach the rest remaining To spirits of the blest; To Holy Ghost be praises, To Father and to Son; The church her voice upraises To thee, blest Three in One.

Christopher Wordsworth, 1858.

45 Auburn. C.M.

_Sweet Day of Rest._ (66)

Come, dearest Lord, and feed thy sheep, On this sweet day of rest; Oh, bless this flock, and make this fold Enjoy a heavenly rest.

2 Welcome, and precious to my soul Are these sweet days of love; But what a Sabbath shall I keep When I shall rest above!

3 I come, I wait, I hear, I pray; Thy footsteps. Lord. I trace; Here, in thine own appointed way, I wait to see thy face.

4 Those are the sweet and precious days On which my Lord I've seen; And oft, when feasting on his word, In raptures I have been.

5 Oh, if my soul, when death appears.

In this sweet frame be found, I'll clasp my Savior in mine arms, And leave this earthly ground.

John Mason, 1683.

46 Auburn. C.M.

_Sabbath Morn._ (60)

How sweetly breaks the Sabbath dawn Along the eastern skies!

So, when the night of time hath gone, Eternity shall rise.

2 How softly spreads the Sabbath light!

How soon the gloom hath fled!

So o'er the new created sight Celestial bliss is spread.

3 What quiet reigns o'er earth and sea, Through all the stilly air!

So calm may we this Sabbath be, And free from worldly care.

4 Thus let thy peace, O Lord! pervade Our bosoms all our days; And let each pa.s.sing hour be made A herald of thy praise.

5 This peace of G.o.d--how full! how sweet It flows from Jesus' breast; It makes our bliss on earth complete, It brings eternal rest.

Edwin F. Hatfield, 1840

47 Auburn. C.M.

_The Lord's Day Morning._ (65)

When the worn spirit wants repose, And sighs her G.o.d to seek, How sweet to hail the evening's close That ends the weary week!

2 How sweet to hail the early dawn That opens on the sight, When first that soul-reviving morn Sheds forth new rays of light!

3 Sweet day! thine hours too soon will cease; Yet, while they gently roll, Breathe, heavenly Spirit, source of peace, A Sabbath o'er my soul.

4 When will my pilgrimage be done, The world's long week be o'er, That Sabbath dawn which needs no sun, That day which fades no more?

James Edmeston, 1820.

48 Sabbath. 7s, 6 or 8 lines.

_Blessing of the Sabbath._ (94)

Safely thro' another week, G.o.d has bro't us on our way; Let us now a blessing seek, Waiting in his courts to-day; Day of all the week the best, Emblem of eternal rest.

2 While we seek supplies of grace Through the dear Redeemer's name, Show thy reconciling face; Take away our sin and shame; From our worldly cares set free; May we rest, this day, in thee.

3 May the gospel's joyful sound Conquer sinners, comfort saints, Make the fruits of grace abound, Bring relief from all complaints; Thus let all our Sabbaths prove, Till we join the church above.

John Newton, 1779. _a._

49 Lischer. (German.) H.M.

_Rejoicing in the Sabbath._ (98)

Welcome, delightful morn!

Thou day of sacred rest; I hail thy kind return; Lord, make these moments blest; From the low train of mortal toys I soar to reach immortal joys.

2 Now may the King descend, And fill his throne of grace; Thy scepter, Lord, extend, While saints address thy face!

Let sinners feel thy quickening word, And learn to know and fear the Lord.

3 Descend, celestial Dove, With all thy quickening powers; Disclose a Savior's love, And bless the sacred hours; Then shall my soul new life obtain, Nor Sabbaths be indulged in vain.