Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.
Exodus 20:10
Words: Thomas Hayward, before 1807.
Music: Das Lieben bringt groß Freud Friedrich Silcher, 1827, from a Swabian folk tune. Arranged by Lowell Mason, Carmina Sacra, second edition, 1841 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
Welcome, delightful morn,
Thou day of sacred rest!
I hail thy kind return;
Lord, make these moments blest;
From the low train of mortal toys,
I soar to reach immortal joys,
I soar to reach immortal joys.
Now may the King descend,
And fill His throne with grace;
Thy scepter, Lord, extend,
While saints address Thy face:
Let sinners feel Thy quickening Word,
And learn to know and fear the Lord,
And learn to know and fear the Lord.
Descend, celestial Dove,
With all Thy quickening powers;
Disclose a Savior’s love,
And bless the sacred hours:
Then shall my soul new life obtain,
Nor Sabbaths be enjoyed in vain,
Nor Sabbaths be enjoyed in vain.