1 This is the feast of heavenly wine,
And God invites to sup:
The juices of the living vine
Were press'd, to fill the cup.
2 Oh bless the Savior, ye that eat,
With royal dainties fed;
Not heaven affords a costlier treat,
For Jesus is the bread.
3 The vile, the lost, he calls to them,
Ye trembling souls, appear!
The righteous in their own esteem
Have no acceptance here.
4 Approach, ye poor, nor dare refuse
The banquet spread for you;
Dear Savior, this is welcome news,
Then I may venture too.
5 If guilt and sin afford a plea,
And may obtain a place,
Surely the Lord will welcome me,
And I shall see his face.
Source: A Collection of Hymns and Prayers, for Public and Private Worship #222
First Line: | This is the feast of heavenly wine |
Author: | William Cowper |
Language: | English |
Copyright: | Public Domain |
This is the feast of heavenly wine. W. Cowper. [Holy Communion.] First published in the Olney Hymns, 1779, Bk. ii., No. 53, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines, and headed "Welcome to the Table." Sometimes it begins with stanzas ii., "O bless the Saviour, ye that eat." See also “Bless'd with the presence of their God."
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)