Scripture Verse

The seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. Exodus 20:10

Introduction

Words: Un­known au­thor, in the Elu­ci­da­to­ri­um Ec­cle­si­as­ti­cum of Jo­do­cus Clich­to­vae­us (Josse Clich­tove, 1472–1543) (Pa­ris: 1516) (Om­nes una ce­le­bre­mus). Trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by Hen­ri­et­ta M. Ches­ter in the Hym­na­ry, 1872.

Music: Ho­ly Day (Par­ker) H. W. Par­ker, in The Church Hym­nal (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts: Par­ish Choir, 1911), num­ber 26 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know Par­ker’s full name, or where to get a good pho­to of him or Ches­ter (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Come, let us all with one ac­cord
Adore and mag­ni­fy the Lord,
And fes­tive ser­vice pay.

On this the day that God hath blest,
The day of peace and hea­ven­ly rest,
The Lord’s own ho­ly day.

That saw pri­me­val dark­ness break,
And that more glo­ri­ous life awake
That last­eth ev­er­more.

That saw hell’s le­gions pros­trate fall,
And Christ, tri­um­phant over all,
His own to Hea­ven re­store.

This day the peace that flows from Hea­ven
Was un­to the apos­tles gi­ven,
When doors were closed at night.

This day the Ho­ly Spir­it’s flame
Upon the Church’s teach­ers came,
And filled their souls with light.

Still on this day with trum­pet sound
The Gos­pel notes were ring­ing round,
To call the world to pray.

Then on this day let us adore
Our God and sup­pli­ca­tion pour,
That, when worlds pass away,

Through Christ’s dear grace our souls may rest
In peace and joy, for­ev­er blest,
Till the great judg­ment day.