You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

CCVI. Deity and Humanity of Christ

1 Ere the blue heav'ns were stretch'd abroad,
From everlasting was the word:
With God he was, the word was God,
And must divinely be ador'd.

2 By his own pow'r were all things made,
By him supported all things stand;
He is the whole creation's head,
And angels fly at his command.

3 Ere sin was born, or Satan fell,
He led the host of morning stars;
Thy generation who can tell,
Or count the number of thy years?

4 But lo, he leaves those heav'nly forms,
The Word descends and dwells in clay,
That he may converse hold with worms,
Dress'd in such feeble flesh as they.

5 Mortals with joy beheld his face,
Th' eternal Father's only Son;
How full of truth! how full of grace!
When thro' his eyes the Godhead shone!

6 Archangels leave their high abode,
To learn new myst'ries here and tell
The love of our descending God,
The glories of Immanuel.

Text Information
First Line: Ere the blue heav'ns were stretch'd abroad
Title: Deity and Humanity of Christ
Author: Watts
Meter: L. M.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1792
Scripture: ;
Topic: Attributes, Characters, Names, and Offices of Christ, from the New Testatment
Notes: Public Domain.
Tune Information
(No tune information)



Media
More media are available on the text authority page.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.