Alleluia, best and sweetest

Verse 1

Alleluia! best and sweetest Of the hymns of praise above! Alleluia! thou repeatest, Angel host, these notes of love. This ye utter, While your golden harps ye move.

Verse 2

Alleluia! Church victorious, Join the concert of the sky! Alleluia! bright and glorious, Lift, ye saints, this strain on high! We, poor exiles, Join not yet your melody.

Verse 3

Alleluia! strains of gladness Suit not souls with anguish torn: Alleluia! sounds of sadness Best become our state forlorn: Our offences We with bitter tears must mourn.

Verse 4

But our earnest supplication Holy God, we raise to Thee: Visit us with Thy salvation, Make us all Thy joys to see! Alleluia! Ours at length this strain shall be.