It’s Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) so a Communion hymn is appropriate. I’m posting this one because I love the tune (Schm\u00fccke dich, o liebe Seele) and the words are exquisite.<\/p>\n
Soul, adorn thyself with gladness,
\nLeave behind all gloom and sadness;
\nCome into the daylight’s splendor,
\nThere with joy thy praises render
\nUnto Him whose grace unbounded
\nHath this woundrous supper founded.
\nHigh o’er all the heavens He reigneth,
\nYet to dwell with thee He deigneth.<\/p>\nHasten as a bride to meet Him
\nAnd with loving reverence greet Him;
\nFor with words of life immortal
\nNow He knocketh at thy portal.
\nHaste to ope the gates before Him,
\nSaying, while thou dost adore Him,
\nSuffer, Lord, that I receive Thee,
\nAnd I nevermore will leave Thee.<\/p>\nHe who craves a precious treasure
\nNeither cost nor pain will measure;
\nBut the priceless gifts of heaven
\nGod to us hath freely given.
\nThough the wealth of earth were proffered,
\nNaught would buy the fits here offered:
\nChrist’s true body, for thee riven,
\nAnd His blood, for thee once given.<\/p>\nAh, how hungers all my spirit
\nFor the love I do not merit!
\nOft have I, with sighs fast thronging,
\nThought upon this food with longing,
\nIn the battle well-nigh worsted,
\nFor this cup of life have thirsted,
\nFor the Friend who here invites us
\nAnd to God Himself unites us.<\/p>\nIn my heart I find ascending
\nHoly awe, with rapture blending,
\nAs this mystery I ponder,
\nFilling all my soul with wonder,
\nBearing witness at this hour
\nOf the greatness of Thy power;
\nFar beyond all human telling
\nIs the power within Him dwelling.<\/p>\nHuman reason, though it ponder,
\nCannot fathom this great wonder
\nThat Christ’s body e’er remaineth
\nThough it countless souls sustaineth,
\nAnd that He His blood is giving
\nWith the wine we are receiving.
\nThese great mysteries unsounded
\nAre by God alone expounded.<\/p>\nJesus, Sun of Life, my Splendor,
\nJesus, Thou my Friend most tender,
\nJesus, Joy of my desiring,
\nFount of life, my soul inspiring, —
\nAt Thy feet I cry, my Maker,
\nLet me be a fit partaker
\nOf this blessed food from heaven,
\nFor our good, Thy glory, given.<\/p>\nLord, by love and mercy driven
\nThou hast left Thy throne in heaven
\nOn the cross for us to languish
\nAnd to die in bitter anguish,
\nTo forego all joy and gladness
\nAnd to shed Thy blood in sadness.
\nBy this blood, redeemed and living,
\nLord, I praise Thee with thanksgiving.<\/p>\nJesus, Bread of Life, I pray Thee,
\nLet me gladly here obey Thee.
\nBy Thy love I am invited,
\nBe Thy love with love requited;
\nFrom this Supper let me measure,
\nLord, how vast and deep love’s treasure.
\nThough the gifts Thou here dost give me
\nAs Thy guest in heaven receive me.
\n(HT: Lutheran-Hymnal.Com<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n