Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David ‎#263

263. Universal Praise to God

1 Loud hallelujahs to the Lord,
From distant worlds where creatures dwell;
Let heaven begin the solemn word,
And sound it dreadful down to hell.

2 The Lord, how absolute he reigns,
Let every angel bend the knee;
Sing of his love in heavenly strains,
And speak how fierce his terrors be.

3 High on a throne his glories dwell,
An awful throne of shining bliss:
Fly through the world, O sun and tell
How dark thy beams compar'd to his.

4 Awake ye tempests and his fame
In sounds of dreadful praise declare;
And the sweet whisper of his name
Fill every gentler breeze of air.

5 Let clouds, and winds, and waves agree
To join their praise with blazing fire;
Let the firm earth and rolling sea
In this eternal song conspire.

6 Ye flowery plains, proclaim his skill;
Ye vallies sink before his eye;
And let his praise from every hill
Rise tuneful to the neighbouring sky.

7 Ye stubborn oaks, and stately pines,
Bend your high branches and adore:
Praise him, ye beasts, in different strains;
The lamb must beat, the lion roar.

8 Ye birds, his praise must be your theme,
Who form'd to song your tuneful voice;
While the dumb fish that cut the stream
In his protecting care rejoice.

9 Mortals, can you refrain your tongue,
When nature all around you sings?
Oh for a shout from old and young,
From humble swains and lofty kings?

10 Wide as his vast dominion lies,
Make the Creator's name be known;
Loud as his thunder shout his praise,
And sound it lofty as his throne.

11 Jehovah! 'tis a glorious word!
Oh may it dwell on every tongue!
But saints who best have known the Lord
Are bound to raise the noblest song.

12 Speak of the wonders of that love
Which Gabriel plays on every chord:
From all below and all above,
Loud Hallelujahs to the Lord.

Text Information

• First Line: Loud hallelujahs to the Lord
• Title: Universal Praise to God
• Meter: Long Metre
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1790
• Scripture:
  Psalm 148
• Topic: Creation and Providence; Creatures: praising God; Praise: from all creatures; Storm and Thunder; Thunder and storm; Weather; Works: of creation and providence
• Notes: This Psalm may be sung to the Tune of the old 112th or 127th Psalm if these two lines be added to every Stanza: "Each of his works his name displays, but they can e'er complete the praise."

Tune Information

(No tune information)