176. Word of Life, Thou Fount of Crystal

1. Word of Life, thou Fount of crystal,
Flowing down from heaven above;
Life and strength to all thou givest,
Opening their hearts in love;
Who are like the wilting flowers
Drooping ‘neath the sun’s hot glow,
From the dry land turning, thirsting,
To the cooling spring bend low.

2. What is all this world without thee?
A benighted, dreary vale.
What is heav’n above without thee?
A deserted banquet hall,
What is life on earth without thee?
Gloomy death, forever new.
What is dying here without thee?
Night, without the morning’s glow.

3. Word of Life, thou truly lightest
And thou warmest us anew;
Heaven’s kingdom thou revealest,
And the realm of Satan too:
Terribly thou wakest sinners
From their dull and slothful rest;
But thou also gently hidest
Sins repented and confessed.

4. At a Judge we learn to tremble,
Who doth weigh with righteous scales;
And to love a heav’nly Father
Whose long-suffering prevails;
Who in love His Sole-begotten
For us as an off’ring gave,
Who in Him transgression judgeth,
And through Him doth sinners save.

5. Word of Life, to all who heed thee,
Thou dost promise endless rest;
Yet all they alone who keep thee
With this treasure shall be blessed;
Therefore I would truly keep thee,
Word of God, the Spirit’s Sword;
Help me here on earth to battle
And to win the blest reward!