“Prepare the Way, O Zion”

 

By Fernando Ortega

With full lyrics & short biography


 https://youtu.be/s-g3i1Jne20

 

Prepare the Way, O Zion

Author: Frans Mikael Franzen

1 Prepare the way, O Zion,
your Christ is drawing near!
Let every hill and valley
a level way appear.
Greet One who comes in glory,
foretold in sacred story.

Refrain:
O blest is Christ who came
in God’s most holy name.

2 He brings God’s rule, O Zion;
he comes from heaven above.
His rule is peace and freedom,
and justice, truth, and love.
Lift high your praise resounding,
for grace and joy abounding. [Refrain]

3 Fling wide your gates, O Zion;
your Savior’s rule embrace,
and tidings of salvation
proclaim in every place.
All lands will bow rejoicing,
their adoration voicing. [Refrain]

 

Frans Michael Franzén

 

Short Name: Frans Michael Franzén

Full Name: Franzén, Frans Michael, 1772-1847

Birth Year:1772

Death Year:1847

Franzén, Franz Michael, was born at Uleabôrg, Finland, in 1772, and educated at the University of Abo, where he became Librarian and Professor of Literary History. He was subsequently Minister at Kumla, Orebro, Sweden, and then of Santa Clara, in Stockholm. He was consecrated Bishop of Hernosand, in 1841, and died there in 1847. (See Supplement to Longfellow’s Poets and Poetry of Europe.) Of his pieces one is in English common use. It begins “Jesum haf i ständigt minne,” translated by Mrs. Charles in her Christian Life in Song, 1858, p. 250, as “Jesus in Thy memory keep” (Looking unto Jesus). Usually it begins with stanza ii., “Look to Jesus, till, reviving.”

–John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)