#388 Don't Forget the Sabbath

Words by Fanny J. Crosby (1820-1915)

Music by William B. Bradbury (1816-1868)

 

Don’t forget the Sabbath,

The Lord our God hath blest,

Of all the week the brightest,

Of all the week the best;

It brings repose from labor,

It tells of joy divine,

Its beams of light descending,

With heav’nly beauty shine.

 

Refrain

Welcome, welcome, ever welcome,

Blessèd Sabbath day,

Welcome, welcome, ever welcome,

Blessèd Sabbath day.

 

Keep the Sabbath holy,

And worship Him today,

Who said to His disciples,

“I am the living Way”;

And if we meekly follow

Our Savior here below,

He’ll give us of the fountain

Whose streams eternal flow.

 

Refrain

Welcome, welcome, ever welcome,

Blessèd Sabbath day,

Welcome, welcome, ever welcome,

Blessèd Sabbath day.

 

Day of sacred pleasure!

Its golden hours we’ll spend

In thankful hymns to Jesus,

The children’s dearest Friend;

O gentle, loving, Savior,

How good and kind Thou art,

How precious is Thy promise

To dwell in every heart!

 

Refrain

Welcome, welcome, ever welcome,

Blessèd Sabbath day,

Welcome, welcome, ever welcome,

Blessèd Sabbath day.

 

Fanny Crosby was probably the most prolific hymnist in history. Though blinded by an incompetent doctor at six weeks of age, she wrote over 8,000 hymns. About her blindness, she said:

"It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me."