A Selection of Hymns ‎#CCCVII

CCCVII. The Ministry of Angels

1 Great God, what hosts of angels stand
In shining ranks at thy right hand,
Array'd in robes of dazzling light,
With pinions stretch'd for distant flight!

2 Immortal fires! seraphic flames!
Who can recount their various names?
In strength and beauty they excell,
For near the throne of God they dwell.

3 How eagerly they wish to know
The duties he would have them do.
What joy their active spirits feel,
To execute their sovereign's will!

4 Hither, at his command they fly,
To guard the beds on which we lie;
To shield our persons, night and day,
And scatter all our fears away.

5 [Against the holy Syrian band
Around the helpless prophet stand,
While mighty Gabriel downward flies,
And with his chariots fills the skies.

6 Herod attempts, but all in vain,
To bind a Peter with his chain:
At one soft word an angel speaks,
And massy chain asunder breaks.]

7 Send, O my God, some angel down,
(Tho' to a mortal eye unknown)
To guide and guard my doubtless way,
Up to the realms of endless day.

Text Information

• First Line: Great God, what hosts of angels stand
• Title: The Ministry of Angels
• Author: Dr. S. Stennett
• Meter: L. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1792
• Topic: The Christian; Angels: Ministering to Christians; Christian: Ministered to by Angels

Tune Information

(No tune information)