5 But man was formed to rise to heaven; And, blest with reason's clearer light, He views his Maker through his works, And glows with rapture at the sight.
6 Nor can the thousand songs that rise, Whether from air, or earth, or sea, So well repeat Jehovah's praise, Or raise such sacred harmony.
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice; From realm to realm the notes shall sound, And heaven's exulting sons rejoice To bear the full hosanna round.
2 When, starting from the shades of night, Obedient, Lord, to thy behest, The sun arrayed his limbs in light And earth her virgin beauty drest;
3 Thy praise transported nature sung In pealing chorus loud and far; The echoing vault with rapture rung, And shouted every morning star.
4 When bending from his native sky, The Lord of life in mercy came, And laid his bright effulgence by, To bear on earth a human name;
5 The song, by cherub voices raised, Rolled through the dark blue depths above, And Israel's shepherds heard amazed The seraph notes of peace and love.
And shall not man the concert join, For whom this bright creation rose-- For whom the fires of morning shine And eve's still lamps, that woo repose?
2 And shall not he the chorus swell, Whose form the incarnate Godhead wore, Whose guilt, whose fears, whose triumph tell How deep the wounds his Saviour bore?
3 Long as yon glittering arch shall bend, Long as yon orbs in glory roll, Long as the streams of life descend To cheer with hope the fainting soul,
4 Thy praise shall fill each grateful voice, Shall bid the song of rapture sound; And heaven's exulting sons rejoice To bear the full hosanna round.
48 L. M. Praise of God peculiarly due from man.
There seems a voice in every gale, A tongue in every opening flower, Which tells, O Lord! the wondrous tale Of thy indulgence, love, and power.
2 The birds that rise on soaring wing Appear to hymn their Maker's praise, And all the mingling sounds of spring To thee a general paean raise.
3 And shall my voice, great God, alone Be mute 'midst nature's loud acclaim? No; let my heart with answering tone Breathe forth in praise thy holy name.
4 And nature's debt is small to mine; Thou bad'st her being bounded be, But--matchless proof of love divine-- Thou gav'st immortal life to me.