After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
Hosea 6:2–3
Words: John Newton, Olney Hymns (London: W. Oliver, 1779), Book 2, number 33, verses 1–3 (Pleasing Spring Again Is Here!). The author of verse 4 is unknown. This version appeared in The Council Hymn Book, 1905.
Music: Da Christus geboren melody probably by Johann F. Doles (1715–1797) (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a better picture of Doles,
Kindly spring again is here,
Trees and fields in bloom appear;
Hark! the birds with artless lays
Warble their creator’s praise.
Where in winter all was snow,
Now the flowers in clusters grow;
And the corn, in green array,
Promises a harest-day.
Lord, afford a spring to me,
Let me feel like what I see;
Speak, and by Thy gracious voice,
Make my drooping soul rejoice.
On Thy garden deign to smile,
Raise the plants, enrich the soil;
Soon Thy presence will restore
Life to what seemed dead before.
