1.

Just how did Simeon understand
All that God spoke in Israel’s land?
Just how did he Israel’s Hope recognize?
How did he see with anointed eyes?
’Twas by God’s Spirit that he could see
Jesus, God’s Mystery.
Just and devout, thus this man could be
Kept in humility.
Led to the temple by God’s own hand,
Found the Child Jesus, the true Son of Man.
There he beheld the great Savior God gave,
Who came to earth to save.

2.

Anna was old; full of years was she—
Had for salvation eyes to see.
She did not ever from God’s house depart;
Faithful she was in her mind and heart.
She brought glad tidings to all who yearned
God’s promised Son to see.
She said that all who to Jesus turned
Saved from their sins would be.
Anna was clear-sighted in her mind.
She let no anxiousness place in her find.
She had no int’rest in things of this earth.
True godly fear held for her great worth.

3.

Great in God’s eyes is a faithful mind.
Each faithful soul His laws can find.
They know His counsels, discover His ways,
Share in His sufferings all their days.
Far in the future their eyes can see
Seasons and times unfold.
They’ll live and reign for eternity,
As it has been foretold.
These ones indeed are like Simeon.
Steadfast they stand as God’s heroes have done.
They are not shaken when tested and proved.
Mountains may part, but God’s saints aren’t moved.

4.

Now at the end of all time we live;
We’ll hasten forward—all we’ll give.
With God, our Lord, we must all be made one.
To this great goal let us onward run.
We must increase in great strength and might,
Bear fruit in all we do.
Strongholds must fall; we with zeal must fight.
Chast’ning forms heroes true.
Evil the days that will soon appear;
We may be scorned and be ridiculed here.
Those who bear suff’rings, the shame here despise,
Will like the Master in triumph rise.

Written by Edwin Bekkevold (published in 1920)Text © Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatters ForlagNorway ⋅ D