Almighty Framer Of The Skies

1 Almighty framer of the skies!
O let our pure devotion rise,
Like incense in Thy sight!
Wrapped in impenetrable shade
The texture of our souls was made,
Till Thy command gave light.

2 The Sun of glory gleamed the ray,
Refined the darkness into day,
And bid the vapors fly:
Impelled by His eternal love,
He left His palaces above,
To cheer our gloomy sky.

3 How shall we celebrate the day
When God appeared in mortal clay,
The mark of worldly scorn;
When the archangel’s heavenly lays
Attempted the Redeemer’s praise,
And hailed salvation’s morn?

4 A humble form the Godhead wore,
The pains of poverty He bore,
To gaudy pomp unknown:
Though in a humble walk He trod,
Still was the man Almighty God,
In glory all His own.

5 Despised, oppressed, the Godhead bears
The torments of this vale of tears,
Nor bids His vengeance rise;
He saw the creatures He had made
Revile His power, His peace invade;
He saw with mercy’s eyes.

6 How shall we celebrate His name,
Who groaned beneath a life of shame,
In all afflictions tried?
The soul is raptured to conceive
A truth which being must believe:
The God eternal died.

7 My soul, exert thy powers, adore,
Upon devotion’s plumage soar,
To celebrate the day:
The God from whom creation sprung
Shall animate my grateful tongue;
From Him I’ll catch the lay!

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #7987

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #7987