Classic Poem

O'er the waters void and formless
Thou didst brood alone,
Breathing peace serene and stormless,
Holy One.

In Thy strength the patriarchs hoary,
Seers and men of might,
Won their fadeless crowns of glory,
Robed in light.

When the mystic valley shaken
Hears the prophet's prayer,
When from death the living waken,
Thou wast there.

When Messiah humbly kneeling,
Rose from Jordan's flood,
Heaven unroll'd Thy form revealing,
Dove of God.

It is finish'd; death defeated;
Life and victory won:
And our Priest and Prince is seated
On the Throne.

Lo, He pleads His passion's merit,
Pleads His mystic name,
And the Eternal sevenfold Spirit
Falls like flame.

Fount of life, who failest never,
Hear our wrestling cry;
Yesterday, to-day, for ever,
Thou art nigh.

Suppliant we fall down before Thee;
Or, with anguish dumb,
Aching weary hearts implore Thee,
Come, Lord, come.

Over souls with sorrow riven,
Strewn with wrecks of death,
Come from the four winds of heaven;
Come, O Breath.

Ours the grief, the meek confession;
Thine the love and power;
Come for Jesus' intercession,
Come this hour.