HYMN 1
L. M.
A song of praise to God from Great Britain.
403 Nature, with all her powers, shall sing, God the Creator and the King; Nor air, nor earth, nor skies, nor seas, Deny the tribute of their praise. | [Begin to make his glories known, Ye seraphs that sit near his throne; Tune your harps high, and spread the sound To the creation's utmost bound. | All mortal things of meaner frame, Exert your force, and own his name; Whilst with our souls and with our voice We sing his honors and our joys.] | [To him be sacred all we have, From the young cradle to the grave; Our lips shall his loud wonders tell, And every word a miracle.] | [This northern isle, our native land, Lies safe in God th' Almighty's hand; Our foes of victory dream in vain, And wear the captivating chain. | He builds and guards the British throne, And makes it gracious like his own; Makes our successive princes kind, And gives our dangers to the wind.] | Raise monumental praises high To him that thunders through the sky, And with an awful nod or frown Shakes an aspiring tyrant down. | [Pillars of lasting brass proclaim The triumphs of th' Eternal name; While trembling nations read from far The honors of the God of war.] | Thus let our flaming zeal employ Our loftiest thoughts and loudest songs; Britain, pronounce with warmest joy Hosannah from ten thousand tongues. | Yet, mighty God! our feeble frame Attempts in vain to reach thy name; The strongest notes that angels raise, Faint in the worship and the praise. | |