1.

From all dross be cleansed forever;
Purging fire the Lord will bring.
Now the Sword shall pierce and sever!
It must cut through everything.
Soul from spirit it is cleaving.
Fire from God consumes within.
We must rest in God, believing,
As He purges us from sin.

2.

Naught that moves or can be shaken
On Mount Zion can remain.
Through the fire we must be taken
If perfection we’d attain.
God Himself does weigh and measure
All our words and thoughts and deeds.
Is each motive His good pleasure?
Do we bear pure fruit or weeds?

3.

Evil spirits round us hover,
Seeking entrance to our mind.
They shall know us and discover
They no place within can find.
Friends and family use persuasion;
Comfort for the flesh have they.
Bolt this door! Resist temptation!
All such comfort drive away!

4.

Faithfulness is rare and precious—
More than finest gold its worth.
But to glory in the flesh is
Such a snare to all on earth.
Who is blind and deaf, God’s servant—
God to hear, His ways to see?
Zion’s mighty warriors fervent
From all earthly bonds are free.

5.

Gold and jewels we must build with—
Nothing earthly blended here.
Those the Lord has cleansed are filled with
Virtues that are crystal clear.
They are pilgrims who are heeding
That for which their hearts have yearned.
Following the Spirit’s leading,
They the Lamb’s new song have learned.

Written by Margit Baltzersen (published in 1937)Composed by Ester SkogsrudText and melody © Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatters ForlagNorway ⋅ F