Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates; behold the King of glory waits!
The King of kings is drawing near; the Savior of the world is here.
O blest the land, the city blest, where Christ the ruler is confessed!
O happy hearts and happy homes to whom this King of triumph comes!
Fling wide the portals of your heart; make it a temple, set apart
from earthly use for heaven’s employ, adorned with prayer and love and joy.
Redeemer, come, with us abide; our hearts to thee we open wide;
let us thy inner presence feel; thy grace and love in us reveal.
Thy Holy Spirit lead us on until our glorious goal is won;
eternal praise, eternal fame be offered, Savior, to thy Name!
Words: Georg Weissel, 1642;
trans. Catherine Winkworth, 1855
I Commend Joy! 