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O HOW blest the hour, Lord Jesus,
   When we can to Thee draw near,
Promises so sweet and precious
    From Thy gracious lips to hear!
 
2  Be with us this day to bless us,
    That we may not hear in vain;
With the saving truths impress us,
    Which the words of life contain.
 
3  Open Thou our minds, and lead us
    Safely on our heavenward way;
With the lamp of Truth precede us,
    That we may not go astray.
 
4  Lord, endue Thy Word from Heaven
    With such light, and love, and power,
That in us its silent leaven
    May work on from hour to hour.
 
5  Give us grace to bear our witness
    To the truths we have embraced;
And let others both their sweetness
    And their quickening virtue taste.
 
Carl Johann Philipp Spitta, 1801-59,
tr Richard Massie, 1800-87