Awake, Thou That Sleepest

Above:  St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia, December 16, 2012

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1935), Evangelical Lutheran Church (U.S.)

Original Words by Magnus Brostrup Landstad (1802-1880)

English Translation by Ole G. Belsheim (1861-1925)

This is a hymn for the First Sunday of Advent in The Lutheran Hymnary.

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1.  Awake, thou that sleepest, arise from death’s slumber!

Christ on thee shall shine;

The daylight, now glowing in rays without number,

Shows mercy divine;

Repose now no longer,

Last night’s dark danger

Soon come o’er thy soul.

Awake now, arise, and be whole!

2.  In earth’s vale of sorrows the cold mists enshroud thee,

And tears often flow;

And suffering and grief seem the portion allowed thee

In this life below;

Yet, hear the glad message,

That rescue doth presage,

And  pardon and peace

Through Him who doth bring thee release.

3.  In earth’s dreary deserts the sharp thorns will would thee.

And rough is the way;

And often thou longest from ills that surround thee

To hasten away;

Yet, cease now thy sadness,

God’s springtime of gladness

Through Christ thou shalt see:

Awake, for He calleth to thee!

4.  O lift up thine eyes now with hope unto heaven,

The daybreak is here:

Thy Lord let all blessing and honor be given,

Go meet Him with cheer;

When hearts are convicted

Of sin, and afflicted

His welcome will rise

In anthems of praise to the skies.

5.  To God be all glory, who graciously sendeth

From heaven His light;

The way and the truth my soul findeth,

And peace is my right.

O Christ, shine upon us!

From death Thou hast won us

To follow, O Lord,

Thy steps in the light of Thy word.