O Lord, How Shall I Meet You

O Lord, how shall I meet You, how welcome You aright? Your people long to greet You, my Hope, my heart’s Delight! O, kindle, Lord most holy, Your lamp within my breast to do in spirit lowly all that may please You best. Love caused Your incarnation; love brought You down to me. Your thirst for my salvation procured my liberty. O, love beyond all telling, that led You to embrace in love, all love excelling, our lost and fallen race. Rejoice, then, you sad-hearted, who sit in deepest gloom, who mourn your joys departed and tremble at your doom. Despair not; He is near you, there, standing at the door, who best can help and cheer you and bids you weep no more. Sin's debt, that fearful burden, let not your soul distress; your guilt the Lord will pardon and cover by His grace. He comes, for men procuring the peace of sin forgiv'n, for all God's sons securing their heritage in heav'n. He comes to judge the nations, a terror to His foes, a light of consolations and blessed hope to those who love the Lord's appearing. O glorious Sun, now come, send forth Your beams most cheering and guide us safely home.