Hymnal: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs
Date: 1853
Compiler: Alexander Campbell
Publisher/Printer: A Campbell
First Line: Great was the day the joy was great
Topic: Descent of the Holy Spirit
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer:
Meter: LM
Tune:
Hymn Number: Psalm 51
Page Number: 080, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsGREAT was the day, the joy was great,
When the belov'd disciples met;
And on their heads the Spirit came,
And sat like tongues of cloven flame.
What gifts, what miracles he gave!
The power to kill, the power to save,
Furnish'd their tongues with wondrous words,
Instead of shields, and spears, and swords.
Thus arm'd, he sent the champions forth,
From East to West, from South to North:
Go, and assert your Saviour's cause--
Go, spread the myst'ry of his cross!
These weapons of the holy war,
Of what almighty force they are
To make our stubborn passions bow,
And lay the proudest rebel low!
The Greeks and Jews, the learn'd and rude,
Are by these heav'nly arms subdued;
While Satan rages at his loss,
And hates the doctrine of the cross.