God's Condescension to Human Affairs

Verse 1

Up to the Lord, that reigns on high, And views the nations from afar, Let everlasting praises fly, And tell how large his bounties are.

Verse 2

He that can shake the worlds he made, Or with his word, or with his rod, His goodness, how amazing great! And what a condescending God!

Verse 3

God, that must stoop to view the skies, And bow to see what angels do, Down to our earth he casts his eyes, And bends his footsteps downwards too.

Verse 4

He overrules all mortal things, And manages our mean affairs; On humble souls the King of kings Bestows his counsels and his cares.

Verse 5

Our sorrows and our tears we pour Into the bosom of our God; He hears us in the mournful hour, And helps us bear the heavy load.

Verse 6

In vain might lofty princes try Such condescension to perform; For worms were never raised so high Above their meanest fellow worm.

Verse 7

O could our thankful hearts devise A tribute equal to thy grace, To the third heav'n our songs should rise, And teach the golden harps thy praise.