The Cyber Hymnal ‎#6857

6857. Today, O Lord, a Holier Work

1. Today, O Lord, a holier work
Thy secret counsels frame,
A king to rule Thy new made world,
To praise Thy glorious name.

2. Thou formest man: Thy Spirit breathes
Life into dust of earth:
Man, in Thine own true image made,
From Thee receives his birth.

3. And henceforth he dominion holds
O’er all in earth and sea;
Yet mindful whence his being came
Must humbly walk with Thee.

4. Alas! his willful heart rebels
Against Thy gentle sway;
Proud dust of earth would fain be like
The God whom all obey.

5. O griefs and sorrows numberless,
Which hence the world o’erspread;
Jesu, Thy mercy succored us,
Or hope itself had fled.

6. O praise the Father, and the Son
Who saved us by His death,
And Holy Ghost who quickens us
With His life giving breath.

Text Information

• First Line: Today, O Lord, a holier work
• Title: Today, O Lord, a Holier Work
• Latin Title: Jam sanctius moves opus
• Author: Charles Coffin (1736)
• Translator (from Latin): John Chandler & others
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Source: Paris Breviary, 1736; translated by John Chandler & the compilers of Hymns Ancient and Modern
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: WINDSOR
• Composer: Christopher Tye (1533)
• Meter: CM
• Incipit: 11232 11735 43233
• Key: g minor
• Source: Ar­ranged in the Booke of Mu­sicke, by Will­iam Da­man, 1591
• Copyright: Public Domain