We who have believed do enter into rest.
Hebrews 4:3
Words: Edmund S. Palmer, 1902. Palmer was on the staff of the Universities Mission in Zanzibar, 1893–1901, and wrote the hymn while there. It was included as (Yesu, Bin Mariamu) in the Mission’s Swahili Hymn Book. Palmer translated the words from Swahili to English in 1902, when they were first printed privately.
Music: Adoro Devote Benedictine plainsong, Mode V, 13th Century (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good photo of Palmer (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Jesus, Son of Mary, fount of life alone,
Here we hail Thee present on Thine altar throne.
Humbly we adore Thee, Lord of endless might,
In the mystic symbols veiled from earthly sight.
Think, O Lord, in mercy on the souls of those
Who, in faith gone from us, now in death repose.
Here ’mid stress and conflict toils can never cease;
There, the warfare ended, bid them rest in peace.
Often were they wounded in the deadly strife;
Heal them, good Physician, with the balm of life.
Every taint of evil, frailty and decay,
Good and gracious Savior, cleanse and purge away.