Deck yourself, my soul, with gladness (Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness)

1 Deck yourself, my soul, with gladness;
leave the gloomy haunts of sadness.
Come into the daylight's splendour,
there with joy your praises render
to the Lord whose grace unbounded
has this royal banquet founded:
though all other powers excelling,
with my soul he makes his dwelling.

2 Lord, I bow before you lowly,
filled with joy most deep and holy,
as with trembling awe and wonder
all your mighty works I ponder
how, by mystery surrounded,
depth no-one has ever sounded,
none may dare to pierce unbidden
secrets that in you are hidden.

3 Shining sun, my life you brighten,
radiance, you my soul enlighten;
joy, the best of all our knowing,
fountain, swiftly in me flowing:
at your feet I kneel, my Maker
let me be a fit partaker
of this sacred food from heaven,
for our good, your glory, given.

4 Jesus, Bread of life, I pray you,
let me gladly here obey you;
never to my hurt invited,
always by your love delighted:
from this banquet let me measure,
Lord, how vast and deep its treasure;
through the gifts your hands have given
let me be your guest in heaven.

Jubilate Hymns version of 'Schmucke dich, O liebe Seele', Johann Franck (1618 - 1677) translated by Catherine Winkworth (1827 - 1878)
© Jubilate Hymns Ltd
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