Trinity Hymnal ‎#148

148. Comfort, comfort ye my people

1 Comfort, comfort ye my people,
Speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
Comfort those who sit in darkness,
Mourning 'neath their sorrow's load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them;
Tell her that her sins I cover,
And her warfare now is over.

2 Yea, her sins our God will pardon,
Blotting out each dark misdeed;
All that well deserved his anger
He no more will see or heed.
She hath suffered many a day
Now her griefs have passed away;
God will change her pining sadness
Into ever-springing gladness.

3 For the herald's voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Bidding all men to repentance,
Since the kingdom now is here.
O that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way;
Let the valleys rise to meet him,
And the hills bow down to greet him.

4 Make ye straight what long was crooked,
Make the rougher places plain;
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits his holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord
Now o'er earth is shed abroad;
And all flesh shall see the token,
That his word is never broken.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Comfort, comfort ye my people
• Author: Johannes Olearius (1671)
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1863)
• Meter: 8. 7. 8. 7. 7. 7. 8. 8.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1961
• Scripture:
  Isaiah 40:1-5
• Topic: Christ, The Lord Jesus; Christ: First Advent of; Christ: Comforter; The Church: Israel of God; Danger of Delay; Forgiveness of Sins; Gospel: Triumph of; Jerusalem; Ministry: Ordination; Peace and Joy

Tune Information

• Name: THIRSTING
• Composer: Louis Bourgeois (1551)
• Arranger: Henry A. Bruinsma
• Meter: 8. 7. 8. 7. 7. 7. 8. 8.
• Key: G Major
• Source: Harmony adapted from Dutch Koraalbek of B. DeVries
• Copyright: Music used by permission of the Publication Committee of the Christian Reformed Church