EXTOL we now the living God, His praises loud relate, Who is—and whose existence is Not bound by time or date. Who, One and only One, alone Invisible doth dwell; And peerless in His unity, His limit who shall tell? Material form, similitude, Or likeness, none hath He; Nor can there to His holiness Comparison e'er be. Ere glad Creation, at His word, To life and light outburst; Of primal date—Eternal He— Without beginning—First! In all the world—the wide expanse, Its dwellers all around, Proclaim His might, His majesty, Which everywhere abound. Prophetic powers he deigned below, Blest words of revelation, To them, His treasured men of worth, In glorious inspiration. But like to Moses none arose, 'Mid Israel's chosen few, Who face to face with God did speak, And did His semblance view. And when in mercy, laws of truth, God for His people penn'd, He by that faithful Prophet pleased His holy law to send. Nor ever will our gracious Lord Another code bestow; For, all complete, His perfect law No altering change can know. Our hidden thoughts, our ev'ry act, From Him are ne'er conceal'd; Yea! ere commenced, of all, the end To Him at once reveal'd. Rewarding kindness, as his meed, The good man's just return; But to the wicked, punishment His own misdoings earn. Who at His time—in length of days— Will our Messiah send, Redeeming those who, anxious, wait Salvation as their end. In wondrous mercy, then the dead Revive at God's behest; Then be His praises ever sung, His name be ever blest. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IN STATE by BYRON FORCEYTHE WILLSON THE STEAM-ENGINE: CANTO 10. THE RAILWAY BOOM, 1845 by T. BAKER THE TAMER OF STEEDS by WILLIAM ROSE BENET TIME'S SHADOW by MATHILDE BLIND IN VINCULIS; SONNETS WRITTEN IN AN IRISH PRISON: FAREWELL DARK by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |