146. O Joy Sublime, When Finally Is Ended

1. O joy sublime, when finally is ended
The last, our hard-fought struggle with the foe;
When we from exile to our home have wended
Then then through yonder heavenly portals go;
When we earth’s dust from off our feet have shaken,
Earth’s sweat from weary brows have wiped away;
When we greet Him how ne’er hath us forsaken,
Who often gave us courage on our way!

2. O joy sublime, when shall we hear with trembling
The song the angel-choir.. sweetly sings;
When the great host around the Lamb assembling,
On golden harps to Him its praises brings;
When through the Holy City there are sounding
The hallelujahs of the Savior’s own;
When prayers, like holy incense, are surrounding
The King of kings upon His royal throne!

3. O joy sublime, when, freed, the soul can follow
His drawing with the cords of endless love;
Unhindered, it can all its longings hallow
To Him who opened wide the heavens above;
When, from the eyes of faith the veil unfolding
As flees the mist before the light of day,
We shall, the Son as mighty God beholding,
Adore Him as the Lord of lords always!

4. O joy sublime, when we shall hear Him calling:
“Come in, ye blesséd!”, when in heav’nly light,
Before His lofty throne in rev’rence falling,
We see His holy face with mercy bright;
When we shall see His eyes that once were weeping
Because of man’s hard heart, his misery,
And all the wounds from which His blood was dripping,
That from eternal death hath set us free!

5. O joy sublime, when through those courts all-glowing
With other happy saints we wend our way
Along the stream of life where trees are growing
As green as on that third creation-day;
Where in eternal youth, no one grows older,
Where time no longer takes its bitter toll,
Where no eye ever breaks, no heart grows colder,
Nor grief, nor pain, nor death shall plague the soul!

6. O joy sublime! No eye can here perceive it,
No ear can hear, no human heart can know
This joy, - when finally we there receive it
As we into the land of promise go!
On, then, upon the narrow pathway striving;
It is well worth the effort and the pains
To hasten on and then at length arriving
Where, far beyond our knowledge, Jesus reigns!