Good morning! Apart from being an exceptionally glorious and beautiful hymn, this work has another interesting distinction: it is from the Leeds Hymnbook; Leeds, as some of you may know, was the birthplace of Ravenhill. The author of this hymn, George Rawson, was born in Leeds in 1807 - exactly 100 years before Ravenhill. Saints, I cannot stress how beautiful this hymn is. If you click on the cyberhymnal link below and sing this with all your heart, full-throated, you will be blessed and strong all throughout the evil day.
Praise ye the Lord! immortal choir,
In heavenly heights above,
With harp and voice and souls of fire,
Burning with perfect love.
Shine to His glory, worlds of light!
Ye million suns of space,
Fair moons and glittering stars of night,
Running your mystic race!
Ye gorgeous clouds, that deck the sky
With crystal, crimson, gold,
And rainbow arches raised on high,
The Light of light unfold!
Lift to Jehovah, wintry main,
Your grand white hands in prayer;
Still summer seas, in dulcet strain,
Murmur hosannas there!
Do homage, breezy ocean floor,
With many-twinkling sign;
Majestic calms, be hushed before
The Holiness Divine.
Storm, lightning, thunder, hail and snow,
Wild winds that keep His word,
With the old mountains far below,
Unite to bless the Lord.
His Name, ye forests, wave along;
Whisper it, every flower;
Birds, beasts, and insects, swell the song
That tells His love and power.
Around the wide world let it roll,
Whilst man shall lead it on;
Join every ransomed human soul,
In glorious unison!
Come, agèd man! come, little child!
Youth, maiden, peasant, king,
To God in Jesus reconciled
Your hallelujahs bring!
The all creating Deity,
Maker of earth and Heav’n!
The great redeeming Majesty,
To Him the praise be giv’n!
- George Rawson (1807-1889)