Behold A Host Arrayed In White

For All Saints Day, one of my favorite hymns, although I can't get through it without tears. It is rather long and plodding and we rarely we sing it at Sunday services, but occasionally it is a funeral hymn. "Behold A Host Arrayed In White" was written by Hans A. Brorson who lived 1694-1764. His name sounds Norwegian, doesn't it? And indeed, the tune to this hymn is listed as a Norwegian folk melody, arranged by Edvard Grieg.....was he Norwegian, too?

I'm intrigued by the lines in Verse 3: "You harvest seeds once cast abroad in tears and sighs. See with new eyes the pattern in the seed." Troubles and trials come for a reason.

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Verse 1:

Behold a host arrayed in white

Like thousand snowclad mountains bright.

They stand with palms

And sing their psalms

Before the throne of light.

These are the saints who kept God's Word;

They are the honored of the Lord.

He is their prince

Who drowned their sins,

So they were cleansed, restored.

They now serve God both day and night;

They sing their songs in endless light.

Their anthems ring

When they all sing

With angels shining bright.

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Verse 2:

On earth their work was not thought wise,

But see them now in heaven's eyes;

Before God's throne

Of precious stone

They shout their victory cries.

On earth they wept through bitter years;

Now God has wiped away their tears,

Transformed their strife

To heavenly life,

And freed them from their fears.

For now they have the best at last;

They keep their sweet eternal feast.

At God's right hand

Our Lord commands;

He is both host and guest.

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Verse 3:

O blessed saints, now take your rest;

A thousand times shall you be blest

For keeping faith

Firm unto death

And scorning worldly trust.

For now you live at home with God;

You harvest seeds once cast abroad

In tears and sighs.

See with new eyes

The pattern in the seed.

The myriad angels raise their song.

O saints, sing with that happy throng;

Lift up one voice;

Let heaven rejoice

In our Redeemer's song!

AMEN

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