Eternal Power, Whose High Abode

Eternal pow­er

whose high ab­ode

Becomes the gran­deur of a God

Infinite lengths be­yond the bounds

Where stars re­solve their lit­tle rounds.

The low­est step around Thy seat

Rises too high for Ga­bri­el’s feet;

In vain the tall arch­an­gel tries

To reach Thine height with won­der­ing eyes.

Thy daz­zling beau­ties whilst he sings

He hides his face be­hind his wings

And ranks of shin­ing thrones around

Fall wor­ship­ing

and spread the ground.

Lord

what shall earth and ash­es do?

We would adore our mak­er

too;

From sin and dust to Thee we cry

The Great

the Ho­ly

and the High!

Earth from afar has heard Thy fame

And worms have learned to lisp Thy name;

But

O! the glo­ries of Thy mind

Leave all our soar­ing thoughts be­hind.

God is in Heav­en

and men be­low;

Be short our tunes

our words be few;

A sac­red rev­er­ence checks our songs

And praise sits si­lent on our tongues.