This week's hymn comes from Isaiah 61, the passage Jesus read in the synagogue as he announced that he himself was the fulfillment of this prophecy, the long-awaited Messiah. "Today," he said, "this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21) What scripture? This, the basis of today's Advent hymn:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim libery to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor ... (61:1-3)
Hark the glad sound! The Savior comes,
the Savior promised long!
Let every heart prepare a throne,
and every voice a song.
He comes the prisoner to release
in Satan's bondage held;
The gates of brass before him burst,
the iron fetters yield.
He come the broken heart to bind,
the bleeding soul to cure,
and with the treasures of his grace
to enrich the humble poor.
Our glad hosannas, Prince of peace,
thy welcome shall proclaim;
and heaven's eternal arches ring
with thy beloved name.
Philip Doddridge
from Isaiah 61
No comments:
Post a Comment