這首歌我想點撥給每一個在苦難中依然有盼望的人, 他們就像流離失所的以色列民,即使困苦仍相信未來充滿希望。
生命聖詩的翻譯
English trans. by John M. Neal 1818-1866
Adpat. by Thomas Helmore, 1811-1890
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O come, O come, Emmanuel, 以馬內利, 懇求降臨.
And ransom captive Israel, 救贖釋放以色列民;
That mourns in lonely exile here 淪落異邦, 寂寞傷心,
Until the Son of God appear. 引頸渴望神子降臨。
Rejoice! Rejoice! 歡欣!歡欣!以色列民,
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. 以馬內利必定降臨。
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free 耶西之杖, 懇求降臨,
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny; 撒旦手中釋放子民;
From depths of hell Thy people save, 地獄深處拯救子民,
And give them victory over the grave. 使眾得勝死亡之墳。
Rejoice! Rejoice! 歡欣!歡欣!以色列民,
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. 以馬內利必定降臨。
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer 清晨日光, 懇求降臨,
Our spirits by Thine advent here; 藉主降臨歡慰眾心;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, 衝破長夜幽暗陰沉,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight. 帶來光明驅散黑雲。
Rejoice! Rejoice! 歡欣!歡欣!以色列民,
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. 以馬內利必定降臨。
O come, Thou Key of David, come, 大衛之鑰, 懇求降臨,
And open wide our heavenly home; 為我眾人大開天門;
Make safe the way that leads on high, 鋪平我眾登天路程,
And close the path to misery. 關閉人間痛苦路徑
Rejoice! Rejoice! 歡欣!歡欣!以色列民,
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. 以馬內利必定降臨。
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原來的英文歌詞有八節, 每一個版本取的小節都不太一樣。
而每一節都在描述同一件事, 等待救主來臨。