"Ye Sons of Men, Oh, Hearken"
                    by Valentin Thilo, Jr., 1607-1662
                Translated by Arthur T. Russell, 1806-1874
                                Text From:
                    THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
          (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942) p. 60-61



        1. Ye sons of men, oh, hearken:
        Your heart and mind prepare,
        To hail the almighty Savior,
        O sinners, be your care.
        He who of grace alone
        Our Life and Light was given,
        The promised Lord from heaven,
        Unto our world is shown.

        2. Prepare the way before Him;
        Prepare for Him the best,
        Cast out whate'er offendeth
        This great, this heavenly Guest
        Make straight, make plain, the way:
        The lowly valleys raising
        The heights of pride abasing.
        His path all even lay.

        3. The humble heart and lowly
        God lifteth up on high:
        Beneath His feet in anguish
        The haughty soul shall lie.
        The heart, sincere and right,
        That heeds God's invitation
        And makes true preparation,
        It is the Lord's delight.

        4. Prepare my heart, Lord Jesus,
        Turn not from me aside,
        And grand that I receive Thee
        This blessed Advent-tide.
        From stall and manger low
        Come Thou to dwell within me;
        Loud praises will I sing Thee
        And forth glory show.

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        Notes from _The Lutheran Hymnal_
        Hymn #75 
        Text: Luke 3:4, 5
        Author: Valentin Thilo, Jr., 1659, alt.
        Translated by: Arthur T. Russell, 1851
        Titled: "Mit Ernst, o Menschenkinder"
        Published in: _Neu Catechismus-Gesangbuechlein"
        Town: Hamburg, 1598
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        Wittenberg by Cindy A. Beesley and is in the public domain.
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            Please direct any comments or suggestions to: 
                         Rev. Robert E. Smith 
           Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary

                     E-mail: bob_smith@ctsfw.edu

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