The New English Hymnal ‎#216

216. Disposer supreme, and judge of the earth

1 Disposer supreme, and judge of the earth,
Who choosest for thine the weak and the poor,
To frail earthen vessels, and things of no worth,
Entrusting thy riches which ay shall endure;

2 Throughout the wide world their message is heard,
And swift as the wind it circles the earth;
It echoes the voice of the heavenly Word,
And brings unto mortals the hope of new birth.

3 Their cry thunders forth, 'Christ Jesus is Lord',
Then Satan doth fear, his citadels fall:
As when those shrill trumpets were raised at thy word,
And one long blast shattered proud Jericho's wall.

4 O loud be the call, and stirring the sound,
To rouse us, O Lord, from sin's deadly sleep;
May lights which thou kindlest in darkness around,
The dull soul awaken, her vigil to keep.

5 All honour and praise, dominion and might,
To thee, Three in One, eternally be,
Who pouring around us thy glorious light,
Dost call us from darkness thy glory to see.

Text Information

• First Line: Disposer supreme, and judge of the earth
• Latin Title: Supreme, quales, Arbiter
• Author: J. B. de Santeuil, 1630-97
• Translator: Isaac Williams, 1802-65
• Meter: 10 10 11 11
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: The Christian Year: Festivals and Other Holidays: General; Apostles and Evangelists; The Conversion of St. Paul: January 25th
• Notes: Editors also translated

Tune Information

• Name: OLD 104TH
• Composer: Thomas Ravenscroft, c. 1590-1633
• Harmonizer: R. V. W.
• Meter: 10 10 11 11
• Key: d minor
• Source: The Whole Booke of Psalmes, 1621