Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice; From realm to realm the notes shall sound, And heaven’s exulting sons rejoice To bear the full hosanna round.
2 When, starting from the shades of night, Obedient, Lord, to thy behest, The sun arrayed his limbs in light And earth her virgin beauty drest;
3 Thy praise transported nature sung In pealing chorus loud and far; The echoing vault with rapture rung, And shouted every morning star.
4 When bending from his native sky, The Lord of life in mercy came, And laid his bright effulgence by, To bear on earth a human name;
5 The song, by cherub voices raised, Rolled through the dark blue depths above, And Israel’s shepherds heard amazed The seraph notes of peace and love.