O Christ Our King, Creator, Lord

Above:  Christ the Merciful, Twelfth Century C.E.

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Hymnal (1911), Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.

Original Latin text by St. Gregory the Great (circa 540-604), Bishop of Rome

English Translation (1858) by Ray Palmer (1808-1887), U.S. Congregationalist minister

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1.  O Christ, our King, Creator, Lord,

Saviour of all who trust Thy word,

To them who seek Thee ever near,

Now to our praises bend Thine ear.

2.  In Thy dear cross a grace is found–

It flows from every streaming wound–

Whose power our inbred sin controls,

Breaks the firm bond, and frees our souls.

3.  Thou didst create the stars of night;

Yet Thou has veiled in flesh Thy light,

Hast deigned a mortal form to wear,

A mortal’s painful lot to bear.

4.  When Thou didst hang upon the tree,

The quaking earth acknowledged Thee;

When Thou didst there yield up Thy breath,

Then world grew dark as shades of death.

5.  Now in the Father’s glory high,

Great Conqueror, never more to die,

Us by Thy mighty power defend,

And reign through ages without end.