Sons of the living and eternal Father,
Heirs of a kingdom that cannot be moved,
Sing we of love, but not the earthy, rather
Love that more powerful than death has proved—
Sons of immortal birth,
Pilgrims awhile on earth,
Passing to glory,
Raise the voice sweet and strong,
Fill the wide waste with song,
Sing of love all day long
Songs laudatory.
Found in a manger where the beasts were feeding,
Seen in the sorrows of a pathway lone,
Proved on a gibbet, wounded, bruised, and bleeding,
Known, and yet never in its greatness known—
Love that can never fade,
Love that for sins has made
Perfect purgation.
God, in love manifest,
Nature divine expressed,
Love, the forever blest
Pulse of creation.
Bid the vast universe to its remotion
Joy in our joyance, and exalt the Lamb,
Till like the noise of the prodigious ocean
Rolls thro’ the worlds the everlasting psalm.
Heaven of heavens above,
Home of immortal love,
Join in the singing.
Centre supreme of light,
Moon, stars, and clouds of night,
Storms in your awful might,
Praise to Him bringing.
Where He dishonoured was, there give Him glory,
Where they derided Him publish His praise;
Here in this world with its transgressions hoary
Tell of His excellent and perfect ways.
Far as the thought has reached
Let His fair name be preached,
Publish His story;
Unto earth’s limits broad,
Wherever man has trod
Give to the Son of God
Honour and glory.