121. Nature with open volume stands

1 Nature with open volume stands
to spread her maker's praise abroad,
and every labour of his hands
shows something worthy of our God.

2 But in the grace that rescued man
his brightest form of glory shines;
here on the cross 'tis fairest drawn
in precious blood and crimson lines.

3 Here his whole name appears complete;
nor wit can guess, nor reason prove
which of the letters best is writ,
the power, the wisdom, or the love.

4 O the sweet wonders of that cross
where God the Saviour loved and died;
her noblest life my spirit draws
from his dear wounds and bleeding side.

5 I would for ever speak his name
in sounds to mortal ears unknown,
with angels join to praise the Lamb,
and worship at his Father's throne.

Text Information
First Line: Nature with open volume stands
Author: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748 (alt.)
Meter: L.M.
Language: English
Publication Date: 2010
Topic: Hymns for the Church Year: Lent
Tune Information
Name: NÜRNBERG
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750
Adapter: John Whitridge Wilson, 1905-1992
Arranger: John Whitridge Wilson, 1905-1992
Meter: L.M.
Key: F Major
Copyright: Adapatiaion and arrangement by permission of Oxford university Press



Media
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.