448. Advent 3 (Series C)

The lessons for this Sunday are Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7 and Luke 7:18-28 (optional 29-35). I think I covered the Epistle lesson pretty well in this previous hymn. The tune is DOVER, a.k.a. DURHAM, a.k.a. HAMPTON, by Aaron Williams (1770). A survey of many anglophone Lutheran hymnals has turned up at least 11 instances of it, including one or two each with seven different texts, perhaps most notably "Breathe on me, Breath of God," "Father, in whom we live" and "Soldiers of Christ, arise."

Daughter of Zion, sing!
Yon sons of Jacob, shout!
The Lord has drawn Your judgments' sting,
Your enemy cast out.

Be glad at heart and voice!
The King is in your midst.
Fear no disaster, but rejoice,
Whom God in peace has kissed.

His Mighty One will save;
He will in you delight,
With husband's tenderness behave
And sing in measures bright.

He will all those draw in
Who over Zion grieve;
Will lift the burden of her sin
And heal all who believe.

He'll put the foe to rout,
Make whole the halt and lame;
Will reunite those driven out
And give them praise and fame.

From every tribe and tongue
The captive will return,
A new refrain by all be sung,
All who for Zion yearn.

Now God's unfathomed peace
Will guard your heart and mind,
While patience, prayer and praise increase
With love for all mankind.