Words: , 1827. Music: Winchester Old, The Whole Book of Psalmes, by , 1592. |
When God of old came down from Heav’n,
In power and wrath He came;
Before His feet the clouds were riven,
Half darkness and half flame:
But when He came the second time,
He came in power and love;
Softer than gale at morning prime
Hovered His holy Dove.
The fires, that rushed on Sinai down
In sudden torrents dread,
Now gently light, a glorious crown,
On every sainted head.
And as on Israel’s awestruck ear
The voice exceeding loud,
The trump that angels quake to hear,
Thrilled from the deep, dark cloud;
So, when the Spirit of our God
Came down His flock to find,
A voice from Heav’n was heard abroad,
A rushing, mighty wind.
It fills the Church of God; it fills
The sinful world around;
Only in stubborn hearts and wills
No place for it is found.
Come Lord, come Wisdom, Love and Power,
Open our ears to hear;
Let us not miss the accepted hour;
Save, Lord, by love or fear.