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Deck Yourself, My Soul, with Gladness
1. Deck yourself, my soul, with gladness,
Leave behind all gloom and sadness;
Come into the daylight's splendor,
There with joy your praises render
Unto God, whose grace unbounded
Has this wondrous banquet founded;
Come, for now the Lord most holy
Stoops to you in likeness lowly.
2. Sun, who all my life does brighten;
Light, who does my soul enlighten;
Joy, Your wondrous gift bestowing;
Fount, from which all good is flowing:
At Your feet I cry, my Maker,
Let me be a fit partaker
Of this blessed food from heaven,
For our good, Your glory given.
3. Jesus, source of life and pleasure,
Truest friend and dearest treasure,
By Your love I am invited,
Be Your love with love requited.
From this banquet let me measure,
Lord, how vast and deep its treasure;
Through the gifts that here You give me,
As Your guest in heaven receive me.
WORDS: Johann Franck (1618-1677) Trans. Catherine Winkworth, 1863
MUSIC: , and John Casper Mattes, 1913; alt.Johann Cruger, 1649
Theme: Sacraments and Ordinances