1 O for a shout of sacred joy To God the sovereign King! Let every land their tongues employ, And hymns of triumph sing.
2 Jesus our God ascends on high, His heavenly guards around Attend him rising thro' the sky, With trumpet's joyful sound.
3 While angels shout and praise their King, Let mortals learn their strains; Let all the earth his honour sing; O'er all the earth he reigns.
4 Rehearse his praise with awe profound, Let knowledge lead the song, Nor mock him with a solemn sound Upon a thoughtless tongue.
5 In Israel stood his ancient throne, He lov'd that chosen race; But now he calls the world his own, And heathens taste his grace.
6 The British islands are the Lord's, There Abraham's God is known, While powers and princes, shields and swords, Submit before his throne.