Christian Hymns/Comfort, Comfort Ye My People

Background

Text

• Author: Johann Olearius
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth
• Source: Chorale Book for England

Music

Hymn Tune(s):

• Freu Dich Sehr
• Genevan 42
• Psalm 42
• Werde Munter

Lyrics

Comfort, comfort ye my people,

Speak ye peace, thus saith our God;

Comfort those who sit in darkness,

Mourning 'neath their sorrows' load;

Speak ye to Jerusalem

Of the peace that waits for them,

Tell her that her sins I cover,

And her warfare now is over.

Yea, her sins our God will pardon,

Blotting out each dark misdeed;

All that well deserved His anger

He will no more see nor heed.

She hath suffer'd many a day,

Now her griefs have passed away,

God will change her pining sadness

Into ever-springing gladness.

For Elijah's voice is crying

In the desert far and near,

Bidding all men to repentance,

Since the kingdom now is here.

Oh that warning cry obey,

Now prepare for God a way;

Let the valleys rise to meet Him,

And the hills bow down to greet Him.

Make ye straight what long was crooked,

Make the rougher places plain,

Let your hearts be true and humble,

As befits His holy reign;

For the glory of the Lord

Now o'er earth is shed abroad,

And all flesh shall see the token

That His Word is never broken.