WELCOME, sweet day of rest, That saw the Lord arise; Day of all days to us the best, Whose pleasure never dies.
Sweet is the task, O Lord, Thy glorious acts to sing; To praise Thy name, and hear Thy Word, And grateful offerings bring.
The King Himself comes near, And feeds His saints today; With joyful hearts we see Him here, And love, and praise, and pray.
One day amidst the place Where my dear God has been, Is sweeter than ten thousand days Of vanity and sin.
Sweet, on this day of rest, To join in heart and voice With those who love and serve Thee best, And in Thy name rejoice.
My willing soul would stay In such a frame as this, Glory and sing unto the Day Of everlasting bliss.
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748, Henry Francis Lyte, 1793-1847‡