Rejoice, happy mortals, cast sorrow away,
Glad tidings salute your ears;
Break forth into singing and join the sweet lay,
The promised Redeemer is born to-day,
The glory of Israel appears.
The God of peace, the God of love,
Has left his shining realms above,
And to this lower world came down,
To purchase us a heavenly crown.
Rejoice, &c.
This welcome sound the shepherds hear,
While watching o’er their fleecy care;
“In David’s city,” Gabriel cries,
“The Saviour in a manger lies!”
Rejoice, &c.
22.
The lands that long in darkness lay now have beheld a heavenly
light;
Nations that sat in death’s cold shade are blest with beams divinely
bright.
The Virgin’s promised Son is born; behold the expected Child appear!
What shall his name or titles be?—“The Wonderful, the Counsellor!”
The Infant is the mighty God, come to be suckled and adored;
The Eternal Father, Prince of Peace, the Son of David, and his Lord.
The government of earth and seas upon his shoulders shall be laid;
His wide dominions still increase, and honours to his name be paid.
23.
Hark! the glad sound! The Saviour comes, the Saviour promised long!
Let every heart prepare a throne, and every voice a song.
He comes the prisoners to release, in Satan’s bondage held;
The gates of brass before him burst, the iron fetters yield.
Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, thy welcome shall proclaim;
And heaven’s eternal arches ring with thy beloved Name.
24.
Hark; the celestial heralds sing, and hail the birth-day of their
King!
Come, sinners, wipe your flowing tears, the Hope of Israel now
appears!