In loftiest strains the great eternal praise

Verse 1

In loftiest strains the great eternal praise; Sing, sing his glory in sublimeft lays; What nobler subjeft can the soul employ? Can charm her more?--'tis ecstasy--'tis joy!

Verse 2

Sure, Salem, thou wilt gladly sing the Lord, Thee to thy wonted glory who restor'd, Who freed thy captive-sons from galling chains, And safely led them to their natal plains.

Verse 3

'Tis he that gives the anguish'd spirit ease, Heals up our wounds, and sooths our souls to peace:

Verse 4

He numbers all the starry worlds above; He gives them names, and at his will they move.

Verse 5

Great is his glory, infinite his pow'r; And who his boundless wisdom can explore?

Verse 6

The meek are his, and he rewards their worth, While feel the wicked his avenging wrath.

Verse 7

With grateful hearts the great Jehovah sing; And tune his praises on the warbling string;

Verse 8

'Tis he the heav'ns with low'ring clouds obscures; That on the plains sends down his fruitful show'rs; That on the mountains bids his grass to grow, And makes the barren hills with plenty flow;

Verse 9

The bestial tribes that with their food supplies, And hears the callow raven, when he cries.

Verse 10

Not in the valiant chief, the man of might, Nor in the warrior-steed, he takes delight;

Verse 11

But in those humble souls, sincerely just, Who fear his name, and in his mercy trust

Verse 12

Thy mighty God, O happy Salem, praise; The tuneful voice, ye sons of Sion, raise;

Verse 13

Your gates he binds with adamantine bars; He ev'ry blessing for your race prepares;

Verse 14

He crowns your cities and your plains with peace; And gives your yellow harvests rich increase:

Verse 15

His awful voice our earth obedient hears, And with her plenteous gifts all nature chears;

Verse 16

His hoary frosts he scatters on the plains, And o'er the hills his snowy fleeces rains;

Verse 17

He binds the waters with his freezing air; His cold, say, feeble mortal, can'st thou bear?

Verse 18

He bids at will the milder winds to blow; The air grows warmer, and the waters flow:

Verse 19

On Jacob he his sacred laws bestow'd; His heav'nly statutes to his Israel shew'd:

Verse 20

Not thus to other nations he hath done, Nor they his statutes nor his laws have known.