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 favored angel tries

To reach Thine height with wond'ring eyes.

There while the first archangel 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 solemn reverence checks our songs,

And praise sits silent on our tongues.