165: HEAD of the church triumphant

165: HEAD of the church triumphant

by C. Wesley (1707-1788)

1 HEAD of the church triumphant!
We joyfully adore Thee;
Till Thou appear, Thy members here
Would sing Thy love and glory.
We lift our hearts and voices,
In blest anticipation,
And cry aloud, and give to God
The praise of our salvation.

2 While in affliction's furnace
And passing through the fire,
The love we praise which tries our ways,
And ever brings us nigher;
We lift our hearts exulting
In Thine almighty favour:
The love divine which made us Thine
Shall keep us Thine for ever.

3 Thou dost conduct Thy people
Safely through all temptation:
Nor will we fear, since Thou art near,
The fire of tribulation;
The world with sin and Satan,
Display their strength before us;
By Thee we shall break through them all,
And join the heavenly chorus.

4 By faith we see the glory
Of which Thou dost assure us;
The world despise, for that high prize
Which Thou hast set before us;
And may we, counted worthy
To meet the Son from heaven,
There see our Lord, by all adored,
To us in glory given.