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.