264. The heavens declare thy glory, Lord

1 The heavens declare thy glory, Lord;
in every star thy wisdom shines;
but when our eyes behold thy word,
we read thy name in fairer lines.

2 The rolling sun, the changing light,
and nights and days, thy power confess;
but the blest volume thou hast writ
reveals thy justice and thy grace.

3 Sun, moon, and stars convey thy praise
round the whole earth, and never stand;
so, when thy truth began its race,
it touched and glanced on every land.

4 Nor shall thy spreading gospel rest
till through the world thy truth has run;
till Christ has all the nations blest
that see the light or feel the sun.

5 Great Sun of Righteousness, arise;
bless the dark world with heavenly light;
thy gospel makes the simple wise,
thy laws are pure, thy judgements right.

6 Thy noblest wonders here we view,
in souls renewed and sins forgiven:
Lord, cleanse my sins, my soul renew,
and make thy word my guide to heaven.

Text Information
First Line: The heavens declare thy glory, Lord
Author: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
Meter: LM
Language: English
Publication Date: 2000
Scripture: ; ; ; ; ;
Topic: Creation
Notes: Alternate tune WARRINGTOn 415
Tune Information
Name: BIRLING
Harmonizer: Geoffrey Shaw, 1870-1943
Meter: LM
Key: B♭ Major
Source: 19th-century Nottingham collection
Copyright: © Oxford University Press
Notes: Now Public Domain



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