This is Thy love, my God!
Joy never-ending I, in Thee begin!
Thou sawest me, afar from Thine abode!
Thou hadst compassion! Thou hast brought me in!
It was one great surprise
Along the way, beneath that noonday sun
Since first I falter'd forth "I will arise!"
And groan'd: "I am not fit to be a son."
Rapt to my Father's heart-
I felt His kiss, ere I could speak my shame:
Love, acting out its own amazing part-
Me, in my guilt, my ruin, overcame.
Thou didst provide the Robe!
Didst tell Thy servants to bring forth the best,
The ring, the shoes, Thy gift upon the road,
Prepared me, home-returning, for Thy Rest.
Oh, it is holy ground!
Naught that defiles can ever touch me more.
Thy lost one, once the prodigal, is FOUND.
My distrust, the Famine time, is o'er.
Now is the Banquet spread;
The fatted calf, reserved for me, is kill'd;
I-perishing erewhile for want of bread,
Sit at Thy Feast: my cup by Thee o'erfill'd.
Thy Festival I share!
Where guests, at home in all Thine own delight,
With symphonies, with choral dance, declare
THEE in Thy grace, Thy glory-LOVE and LIGHT!
"Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first-begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth-unto him that loves us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, to him be glory and dominion forever and over, Amen."-REV. 1:5, 65And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5‑6).