O, Exalt and Praise the Lord

Above:  Icon of Christ Enthroned in Heaven

Image in the Public Domain

Original German Text (1566) by Petrus Herbert (1530-1571)

English Translation (1789) by Frederick William Foster (1760-1835)

Hymn Source = Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum) (1923), Moravian Church in America

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O, exalt and praise the Lord,

Laud His Name forevermore,

Gratefully with one accord,

With angels, Him adore;

Thank Him for the faithfulness

Wherewith He His witnesses,

Who in heaven are perfected,

Through great tribulation led.

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Since we likewise may attain

To this happiness through grace,

And, by following Jesus, gain

With the saints in heaven a place;

May we tread the narrow path,

Not unfruitful in the faith,

And unto the end endure,

Making our election sure.

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May we always have in view

The example of our Lord,

Faithfully His steps pursue,

Giving heed unto His word;

In our bodies, while we’ve breath,

May we bear about His death,

That His life may even here

In our mortal flesh appear.

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Let us call to mind, with joy,

Those who have before us gone,

Who obtained the victory

Through the blood of Christ alone;

That we all may zealously

Imitate their constancy,

Till we too the prize receive,

And with them in glory live.