Scripture Verse

God is the King of all the earth; sing to Him a psalm of praise. Psalm 47:7

Introduction

portrait
François H. Barthélémon
1741–1808

Words: Ro­bert Ro­bin­son, 1758. He wrote this hymn for Christ­mas, at the re­quest of a boy who be­longed to his church. A cen­to, be­gin­ning Lord of ev­ery land and na­tion, is al­so in com­mon use.

Music: Au­tumn Fran­çois H. Bar­thé­lé­mon, 1785 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you have ac­cess to a bet­ter pic­ture of Bar­thé­lé­mon,

portrait
Robert Robinson
1735–1790

Lyrics

Mighty God, while angels bless Thee,
May a mortal sing Thy name?
Lord of men as well as angels,
Thou art every creature’s theme.
Lord of every land and nation,
Ancient of eternal days.
Sounded through the wide creation
Be Thy just and endless praise.

For the grandeur of Thy nature,
Grand beyond a seraph’s thought;
For the wonders of creation,
Works with skill and kindness wrought.
For Thy providence, that governs,
Through Thine empire’s wide domain,
Wings an angel, guides a sparrow,
Blessèd be Thy gentle reign.

But Thy rich, Thy free redemption,
Dark through darkness all along;
Thought is poor, and poor expression;
Who dare sing that wondrous song?
Brightness of the Father’s glory,
Shall Thy praise unuttered lie?
Fly, my tongue, such guilty silence;
Sing the Lord who came to die.

From the highest throne of glory
To the cross of deepest woe,
All to ransom guilty captives;
Flow my praise, for ever flow!
Go, return, immortal Savior!
Leave Thy footstool, take Thy throne;
Thence return, and reign for ever,
Be the kingdom all Thine own.

The orig­in­al was di­vid­ed in­to 9 stan­zas, with this as num­ber 6:

Did archangels sing Thy coming?
Did the shepherds learn their lays?
Shame would cover me ungrateful
Should my tongue refuse to praise.