Oh, how great! how excellent!
Than the earth profounder far,
Higher than the highest star,
He will us to honour raise :
You, his saints, resound his praise;
You who are of Jacob's race,
And united to his grace.
Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily course of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise
To pay thy morning sacrifice.
Thy precious time misspent redeem;
Each precious day thy last esteem;
Improve thy talent with due care,
For the great day thyself prepare.
In conversation be sincere,
Keep conscience as the noontide clear, Think how all-seeing God thy ways And all thy secret thoughts surveys.
By influence of the light divine,
Let thy own light to others shine;
Reflect all heaven's propitious rays
In ardent love and cheerful praise.
Wake, and lift thyself, my heart,
And with the angels bear thy part,
Who all night long unwearied sing
High praises to the eternal King.
I wake, I wake!-ye heavenly choir,
May your devotion me inspire;
That I like you my age may spend,
Like you may on my God attend.
May I like you in God delight,
Have all day long my God in sight,
Perform, like you, my Maker's will—
Oh, may I never more do ill!
Had I your wings, to heaven I'd fly;
But God shall that defect supply,
And my soul, wing'd with warm desire,
Shall all day long to heaven aspire.
All praise to Thee, who safe hast kept,
And hast refresh'd me whilst I slept.
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake,
I may of endless light partake.
I would not wake, nor rise again,
Even heaven itself I would disdain,
Wert not Thou there to be enjoy'd,
And I in hymns to be employ❜d.
Heaven is, dear Lord, where'er Thou art;
Oh, never, then, from me depart;
For to my soul 'tis hell to be
But for one moment void of Thee.
Lord, I my vows to Thee renew;
Disperse my sins as morning dew;
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with thyself my spirit fill.
Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say;
That all my powers, with all their might, In thy sole glory may unite.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
My God, now I from sleep awake,
The sole possession of me take
From midnight terrors me secure,
And guard my heart from thoughts impure.
Blest angels! while we silent lie,
You hallelujahs sing on high;
You joyful hymn the Ever-blest
Before the throne, and never rest.
I with your choir celestial join,
In offering up a hymn divine :
With you in heaven I hope to dwell,
And bid the night and world farewell.
My soul, when I shake off this dust,
Lord, in thy arms I will intrust:
Oh, make me thy peculiar care,
Some mansion for my soul prepare.
Give me a place at thy saints' feet,
Or some fallen angel's vacant seat:
I'll strive to sing as loud as they
Who sit above in brighter day.
Oh, may I always ready stand,
With my lamp burning in my hand;
May I in sight of heaven rejoice,
Whene'er I hear the Bridegroom's voice.
All praise to Thee, in light array'd,
Who light thy dwelling-place hast made;
A boundless ocean of bright beams
From thy all-glorious Godhead streams.
The sun, in its meridian height,
Is very darkness in thy sight:
My soul, oh, lighten and inflame
With thought and love of thy great name!
Blest Jesu! thou, on heaven intent,
Whole nights hast in devotion spent ;
But I, frail creature, soon am tired,
And all my zeal is soon expired.
My soul! how canst thou weary grow
Of antedating bliss below,
In sacred hymns and heavenly love,
Which will eternal be above?
Shine on me, Lord; new life impart ;
Fresh ardours kindle in my heart:
One ray of thy all-quickening light
Dispels the sloth and clouds of night!
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