Hark, the glad sound! the Saviour comes

Christ's Messsage, from Luke 4, 18,199.

Hark, the glad sound! the Saviour comes,` The Saviour promised long : ` Let every heart prepare a throne, ` And every voice a song.`` 2 On Him the Spirit, largely poured,` Exerts its sacred fire ; ` Wisdom and might, and zeal and love, ` His holy breast inspire.`` 3 He comes, the prisoners to release` In Satan's bondage held ; ` The gates of brass before Him burst, ` The iron fetters yield.`` 4 He comes, from the thick films of vice` To clear the mental ray, ` And on the eye-balls of the blind ` To pour celestial day.`` 5 He comes, the broken heart to bind,` The bleeding soul to cure; ` And with the treasures of His grace ` To enrich the humble poor. `` 6 Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, ` Thy welcome shall proclaim; ` And heaven's eternal arches ring ` With Thy beloved Name.``

The Rev. Dr. Philip Doddridge (born 1702, died 1751) wrote this hymn, but it was never printed till after his death. He was a great friend of Dr. Watts, and wrote very many hymns, of which this perhaps is the best. It is a song of welcome to greet the coming (advent) of Christ to be our Saviour;—just as if the poet had been present in the Nazareth Synagogue when Jesus read the prophet's words about Himself, and the poet had taken those words from His mouth and made them into a song. (See St Luke iv, 18, 19.)