Piano Demo
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Hymnal Number
723Resource Type:
Keys included:
F
About this Hymn
This hymn appeared in Charles Wesley's book of eighteen Christmas songs in 1745, and it is one of my three favorite hymns today. The song captures how centuries of waiting, longing, and weeping find ultimate resolution in Christ: "Israel's strength and consolation / Hope of all the earth thou art / Dear desire of every nation / Joy of every longing heart."
Lyrics
Verse 1
Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear Desire of ev'ry nation, joy of ev'ry longing heart.
Verse 2
Come, O promised Star of Jacob, rise upon this harrowed earth; fill the silence of our waiting with the cry of holy birth. Son of heaven, son of Mary, hear the song of angels tell thou hast come to save thy people, God with us, Emmanuel.
Verse 3
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King; born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. By thine own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all-sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear Desire of ev'ry nation, joy of ev'ry longing heart.
Verse 2
Come, O promised Star of Jacob, rise upon this harrowed earth; fill the silence of our waiting with the cry of holy birth. Son of heaven, son of Mary, hear the song of angels tell thou hast come to save thy people, God with us, Emmanuel.
Verse 3
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King; born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. By thine own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all-sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
Copyrighted lyrics may be used in corporate worship in accordance with a valid CCLI license. Lyrics should be displayed unaltered and include author and copyright information. All other uses require permission from the copyright holder.
Attribution & Copyright
Words: Sts. 1, 3, Charles Wesley, 1745; st. 2, Kristyn Getty © 2025 Getty Music Publishing (Capitol CMG Publishing / www.capitolcmgpublishing.com)
Music: Rowland Prichard, 1830; harm. adapt. from Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906
Music: Rowland Prichard, 1830; harm. adapt. from Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906