O COME, THOU WISDOM WHOSE DECREE

1. O Come, thou wisdom whose decree,
   Doth govern all things peacefully,
   The way of prudence here below,
   And life hereafter deign to show.

Chorus:
    Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel,
    Is born to save thee, Israel.

2. O Come, thou everlasting Lord,
   Who once by Israel’s host adored,
   Thy dread commandment madest known,
   In majesty of glory show.
3. O Rod of Jesse, mystic bough,
   From Satan’s cruel snares do thou,
   From death’s grim dungeon, we implore
   And hell’s abyss thine own restore.
4. O Come, thou Key of David’s store,
   Unlock the heavenly gates once more;
   Safe journey to thy courts bestow,
   And shut the way that leads below.
5. O come, thou Daystar seen on high,
   With healing for our hearts draw nigh;
   Do thou the mists of night dispel,
   And death’s foreboding darkness quell.
6. O come, of Gentile hearts the King,
   A world that needs thee ransoming,
   And save thy servants, who confess
   With humbled hearts their faithlessness.
7. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,
   Redeem thy captive Israel,
   That doth in exile homeless mourn
   Until her Saviour Christ be born.