Hymns and Spiritual Songs Part 29

2 Infinite leagues beyond the sky The great Eternal reigns alone, Where neither wings nor soul can fly, Nor angels climb the topless throne.

3 The Lord of glory builds his seat Of gems insufferably bright, And lays beneath his sacred feet Substantial beams of gloomy night.

4 Yet, glorious Lord, thy gracious eyes Look thro', and cheer us from above; Beyond our praise thy grandeur flies, Yet we adore, and yet we love.

Hymn 2:27.

Praise ye him, all his angels, Psalm 148. 2.

1 G.o.d! the eternal awful Name That the whole heavenly army fears, That shakes the wide creation's frame, And Satan trembles when he hears.

2 Like flames of fire his servants are, And light surrounds his dwelling place; But, O ye fiery flames, declare The brighter glories of his face.

3 'Tis not for such poor worms as we To speak so infinite a thing, But your immortal eyes survey The beauties of your sovereign King.

4 Tell how he shews his smiling face, And clothes all heaven in bright array; Triumph and joy run thro' the place, And songs eternal as the day.

5 Speak, (for you feel his burning love) What zeal it spreads thro' all your frame: That sacred fire dwells all above, For we on earth have lost the name.

6 [Sing of his power and justice too, That infinite right-hand of his That vanquish'd Satan and his crew, And thunder drove them down from bliss.

7 [What mighty storms of poison'd darts Were hurl'd upon the rebels there!

What deadly jav'lins nail'd their hearts Fast to the racks of long despair!]

8 [Shout to your King, you heavenly host, You that beheld the sinking foe; Firmly ye stood when they were lost; Praise the rich grace that kept you so.]

9 Proclaim his wonders from the skies, Let every distant nation hear; And while you sound his lofty praise, Let humble mortals bow and fear.

Hymn 2:28.

Death and eternity.

1 Stoop down, my thoughts, that use to rise, Converse awhile with death: Think how a gasping mortal lies, And pants away his breath.

2 His quivering lip hangs feebly down His pulses faint and few, Then, speechless, with a doleful groan He bids the world adieu.

3 But, O the soul that never dies!

At once it leaves the clay!

Ye thoughts, pursue it where it flies, And track its wondrous way.

4 Up to the courts where angels dwell, It mounts triumphing there, Or devils plunge it down to h.e.l.l In infinite despair.

5 And must my body faint and die?

And must this soul remove?

O for some guardian angel nigh To bear it safe above!

6 Jesus, to thy dear faithful hand My naked soul I trust, And my flesh waits for thy command To drop into my dust.

Hymn 2:29.

Redemption by price and power.

1 Jesus, with all thy saints above My tongue would bear her part, Would sound aloud thy saving love, And sing thy bleeding heart.

2 Bless'd be the Lamb, my dearest Lord, Who bought me with his blood, And quench'd his Father's flaming sword In his own vital blood:

3 The Lamb that freed my captive soul From Satan's heavy chains, And sent the lion down to howl Where h.e.l.l and horror reigns.

4 All glory to the dying Lamb, And never ceasing praise, While angels live to know his Name, Or saints to feel his grace.

Hymn 2:30.

Heavenly joy on earth.

1 [Come, we that love the Lord, And let our joys be known; Join in a song with sweet accord, And thus surround the throne.

2 The sorrows of the mind Be banish'd from the place!

Religion never was design'd To make our pleasures less.]

3 Let those refuse to sing That never knew our G.o.d, But favourites of the heavenly King May speak their joys abroad.

4 [The G.o.d that rules on high, And thunders when he please, That rides upon the stormy sky And manages the seas.]

5 This awful G.o.d is ours, Our Father and our love, He shall send down his heavenly powers To carry us above.

6 There we shall see his face, And never, never sin; There from the rivers of his grace Drink endless pleasures in.

7 Yes, and before we rise To that immortal state, The thoughts of such amazing bliss Should constant joys create.

8 [The men of grace have found Glory begun below, Celestial fruits on earthly ground From faith and hope may grow.]

9 The hill of Sion yields A thousand sacred sweets, Before we reach the heavenly fields, Or walk the golden streets.

10 Then let our songs abound, And every tear be dry; We're marching thro' Immanuel's ground To fairer worlds on high.

Hymn 2:31.

Christ's presence makes death easy.

1 Why should we start and fear to die?

What timorous worms we mortals are!

Death is the gate of endless joy, And yet we dread to enter there.

2 The pains, the groans, and dying strife, Fright our approaching souls away; Still we shrink back again to life, Fond of our prison and our clay.

3 O, if my Lord would come and meet, My soul should stretch her wings in haste, Fly fearless thro' death's iron gate, Nor feel the terrors as she pa.s.s'd.

4 Jesus can make a dying bed Feel soft as downy pillows are, While on his breast I lean my head, And breathe my life out sweetly there.