311. C. P. M. M. Rayner. Reign of Christ. Isa.35.

1 The radiant dawn of gospel light,
The prophet saw in vision bright,
And hailed th' auspicious day,
When Christ should all his grace disclose
And cure the world of all its woes,
By truth's triumphant sway.

2 The blind their eyes shall open wide;
To drink the light's o'erflowing tide,
The deaf sweet music hear;
The lame like bounding hart shall leap;
The dumb no longer silence keep,
But shout redemption near.

3 And there shall be a holy way,
In which the simple shall not stray --
The path so plain and bright.
Wayfaring men therein shall walk,
And of their home and kindred talk,
With rapture and delight.

4 No ravenous beast in quest of prey,
No lion lurking in the way,
Shall ever there be seen.
The place where dragons lay concealed,
Large crops of waving grass shall yield,
With reeds and rushes green.

5 And when to Zion's peaceful home
The ransomed of the Lord shall come,
(O haste the blissful day!)
Glad strains shall every tongue employ
In songs of everlasting joy,
And sighing flee away.