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Deck Thyself, My Soul, with Gladness

(SCHMÜCKE DICH. 8.8.8.8)
1.

Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness,
leave the gloomy haunts of sadness;
come into the daylight's splendour,
there with joy thy praises render
unto him whose grace unbounded
hath this wondrous banquet founded:
high o'er all the heav'ns he reigneth,
yet to dwell with thee he deigneth.

2.

Now I sink before thee lowly,
filled with joy most deep and holy,
as with trembling awe and wonder
on thy mighty works I ponder:
how, by mystery surrounded,
depth no mortal ever sounded,
none may dare to pierce unbidden
secrets that with thee are hidden.

PART TWO
3 Sun, who all my life dost brighten.
Light who dost my soul enlighten,
Joy, which through my spirit floweth,
fount, which life and health bestowed,
at thy feet I cry, my Maker,
let me be a fit partaker
of this blessèd food from heaven,
for our good, thy glory, given.

4.

Jesus, Bread of Life, I pray thee,
let me gladly here obey thee;
never to my hurt invited,
be thy love with love requited:
from this banquet let me measure,
Lord, how vast and deep its treasure;
through the gifts thou here dost give me,
as thy guest in heav'n receive me.

This hymn is in the public domain.

Text as printed in Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New (2000).

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