Scripture Verse

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive. 1 John 1:9

Introduction

Words: Un­known au­thor, 8th Cen­tu­ry (Iste Confessor, Domini sacratus). Trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by Laur­ence Hous­man in The Eng­lish Hym­nal (Lon­don: Ox­ford Un­i­ver­si­ty Press, 1906), num­ber 188.

Music: Iste Con­fess­or Poi­ti­ers An­ti­phon­er, 1746 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Laurence Housman
1865–1959

Lyrics

He, whose confession God of old accepted,
Whom through the ages all now hold in honor,
Gaining his guerdon this day came to enter
Heaven’s high portal.

God-fearing, watchful, pure of mind and body,
Holy and humble, thus did all men find him,
While, through his members, to the life immortal
Mortal life called him.

Thus to the weary, from the life enshrinèd,
Potent in virtue, flowed humane compassion;
Sick and sore laden, howsoever burdened,
There they found healing.

So now in chorus, giving God the glory,
Raise we our anthem gladly to his honor,
That in fair kinship we may all be sharers
Here and hereafter.

Honor and glory, power and salvation,
Be in the highest unto Him who reigneth
Changeless in Heaven over earthly changes
Triune, eternal.