1 "Comfort, comfort these my people,
Speak of peace!" so says our God.
"Comfort these who sit in darkness
Groaning under sin's dread rod.
To my people I proclaim
Pardon now in Jesus' name.
Tell them that their sins I cover,
That their warfare now is over!"

2 Yes, our sins the Lord will pardon,
Blotting out each dark misdeed.
All that well deserved his anger
He no more will see nor heed.
We who languished many a day
Under guilt now washed away,
We exchange our pining sadness
For his comfort, peace, and gladness!

3 Now the herald's voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Calling us to true repentance,
For the kingdom now is here!
Oh, that warning cry obey,
Oh, prepare for God a way,
Let the valleys rise to meet him,
Let the hills bow down to greet him!

4 Straight must be what long was crooked;
Make the roughest places plain!
Let your hearts be true and humble,
Ready for his holy reign!
Here the glory of the Lord
Stands so graciously revealed
That all people see the token
That God's word is never broken!