1.

The Lord of old said unto the people:
“I have no pleasure in how you fast.
Your souls and bodies you have afflicted.
You sleep in ashes, and you’re downcast.
What is the fast that will give Me pleasure?—
That those oppressed you give liberty;
That chains of bondage you loose for sinners,
So they’re from sin and its yoke set free.”

2.

What does it mean to break chains of bondage?
What does it mean to set captives free?
The Lord has spoken with words so glorious.
O heed God’s voice and the way you’ll see.
“Your home make open unto the homeless,
And give your bread unto those who lack.
When you see someone in need of clothing,
He is your brother. Do not draw back.”

3.

Your light will shine like the sun at daybreak.
With beams from heaven your path will glow.
And you’ll experience God’s life and healing.
Before you justice and truth will go,
And in your wake will God’s glory follow.
But you must earnestly seek the Lord.
And when you cry out to Him, He’ll answer:
“To you I’m coming with My reward.”

4.

What else is God through the Scriptures speaking
To those desiring this way to go?
“The yoke of bondage take from among you.
To sin and evil you must say No.
Yes, freely give unto those who hunger,
And what you long for, to them outpour.
If you uplift those who are afflicted,
Your light will radiate more and more.”

Written by Wilhelm Berg (published in 1916)Swedish melodyText © Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatters ForlagNorway ⋅ D