117
L. M.
Luke 2:11.
When Jordan hushed his waters still,
And silence slept on Zion’s hill,
When Bethlehem’s shepherds, thro’ the night,
Watched o’er their flocks by starry light—
2 Hark! from the midnight hills around,
A voice of more than mortal sound,
In distant hallelujahs stole,
Wild murmuring o’er the raptured soul.
3 On wheels of light, on wings of flame,
The glorious hosts of Zion came;
High heaven with songs of triumph rung,
While thus they struck their harps and sung:
4 “O Zion, lift thy raptured eye;
The long-expected hour is nigh;
The joys of nature rise again;
The Prince of Salem comes to reign.
5 “See, Mercy, from her golden urn,
Pours a rich stream to them that mourn;
Behold, she binds with tender care
The bleeding bosom of despair.
6 “He comes to cheer the trembling heart:
Bids Satan and his host depart;
Again the day-star gilds the gloom,
Again the bowers of Eden bloom.”
T. Campbell.