Advent Hymns (I)

Here is a hymn that I am using at Church as an Office Hymn for Matins during Advent. Although it is written in a style similar to the hymns of Saint Ambrose, the earliest known manuscript of this hymn dates from the 10th century.

hymnal 8, Verbum supernum

O WORD, that goest forth on high
From God's own depths eternally,
And in these latter days wast born
For succor to a world forlorn;

Pour light upon us from above,
And fire our hearts with ardent love,
That, as we hear thy truth today,
All wrong desires may burn away;

And when, as judge thou drawest nigh
The secrets of our hearts to try,
To recompense each hidden sin
And bid the saints their reign begin;

O let us not, weak sinful men,
Be driven from thy presence then,
But with thy saints for ever stand
In perfect love at thy right hand.

To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, ever one,
Praise, honor, might, and glory be
From age to age eternally. Amen.

Latin, 10th century