2 In heaven the rapt'rous song began, And sweet seraphic fire
Through all the shining legions ran, And strung and tun'd the lyre.
3 Swift through the vast expanse it flew, And loud the echo roll'd;
The theme, the song, the joy was great, "Twas more than heaven could hold.
4 Down through the portals of the sky Th' impetuous torrent ran; And angels flew with eager joy To bear the news to man.
5 Hark! the cherubic armies shout, And glory leads the song: Good will and peace are heard throughout Th' harmonious, heavenly throng.
6 Hail, Prince of Life, for ever hail! Redeemer, Brother, Friend! Though earth, and time, and life should fail, Thy praise shall never end.
Christ found in fashion as a man. Philip. ii. 6,7. John xiv. 8,9.
1 WHAT condescending grace and love Did Christ for us display, Who left the glorious worlds above, To dwell in mortal clay!
2 He not th' angelic form assum'd, Nor the celestial frame:
Though angels nobler natures boast, And boast a nobler name.
3 Behold, of Abrah'm's faithful seed The great Redeemer born; See him, in mortal flesh appear, Our nature to adorn!
It well the Saviour's love became, A human form to wear, That he might thus our guilt atone, And our transgressions bear.
Jesus, our merciful High-Priest, Inflam'd with love divine, Redeem'd his people with his blood, And did his life resign.
6 Then to the throne of sovereign grace, Let us with joy draw near, That we may gain a rich supply; For all we want is there.
1 GOD in his temple let us meet,
Low on your knees before Him bend; Here hath he fixed his mercy-seat,
Here on his Sabbath we attend.
2 Arise into thy resting-place,
Thou, and thine ark of strength, O Lord! Shine through the veil, we seek thy face; Speak, for we hearken to thy word.
3 With righteousness thy priests array; Joyful thy chosen people be;
Let those who teach and those who pray, Let all be holiness to Thee.
The Grace and Love of Christ.
1 ALOUD we sing the wondrous grace, Christ to his murd'rers bare; Which made the tort'ring cross its throne, And hung its trophies there.
2 "Father forgive," his mercy cried, With his expiring breath, And drew eternal blessings down On those who wrought his death.
3 Jesus, this wondrous love we sing, And while we sing, admire;
Breathe on our souls, and kindle there The same celestial fire.
4 Sway'd by thy dear example, we For enemies will pray;
By love, their hatred and their curse With blessings we'll repay.
Praise. Psa. cxiii. 1, 2. Mark xi. 9, 10.
1 AWAKE, awake the sacred song To our incarnate Lord;
Let every heart, and every tongue Adore th' eternal word.
2 That awful word, that sovereign power, By whom the worlds were made— (O happy morn! illustrious hour!) Was once in flesh array'd!
3 Then shone almighty power and love In all their glorious forms:
When Jesus left the throne above To dwell with sinful worms.
4 To dwell with misery below, The Saviour left the skies; And sunk to wretchedness and woe, That worthless man might rise.
3 Adoring angels tun'd their songs To hail the joyful day;
With rapture then, let mortal tongues Their grateful worship pay.
6 What glory, Lord, to thee is due! With wonder we adore;
But could we sing as angels do, Our highest praise were poor.
The Song of Angels. Luke ii. 10, 11, 13, 14.
1 WHILE shepherds watch'd their flocks by night, All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around.
2 "Fear not," said he, (for mighty dread Had seiz'd their troubled mind ;) "Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind.
3 To you, in David's town, this day Is born of David's line,
A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord! And this shall be the sign;
4 The heavenly Babe you there shall find, To human view display'd,
All meanly wrapt in swathing bands, And in a manger laid."
5 Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith Appear'd a shining throng Of angels, praising God, who thus Address'd their joyful song;
6 "All glory be to God on high, And to the earth be peace;
Good will, henceforth, from heaven to men Begin, and never cease."
A general Hymn of Praise.
1 BE thou exalted, O our God,
Above the heavens where angels dwell; Thy power on earth be known abroad, And land to land thy wonders tell.
2 With joyful voice we'll sound thy praise, O thou, from whom all beings came; Our hearts are fix'd, our tongues shall raise Immortal honours to thy name.
3 In thee, O God, are all the springs Of boundless love, and grace unknown; The richest blessings nature brings, Are gifts descending from thy throne.
4 High o'er the earth thy goodness reigns, And reaches to the utmost sky; Thy truth to endless years remains, Though lower worlds dissolve and die.
5 Be thou exalted, O our God, Above the heavens where angels dwell; Thy power on earth be known abroad, And land to land thy wonders tell.
« ПредыдущаяПродолжить » |