OH! the joy of the salvation
We possess around the throne!
Countless thoughts of admiration,
Mingling, leave that joy but one.
Hark! Ten thousand voices crying
“Lamb of God!" with one accord;
Thousand thousand saints replying—
Bursts at once the echoing chord.
Long, with free and glad devotion,
Universal praise prevails;
Till, blest fruit of deep emotion,
Voice by voice in silence fails.
Now, in wondrous adoration
Dwelling on His matchless love,
Swayed with power of that salvation,
Silence fills the courts above.
Then, their richest thoughts unfolding,
Each to each, with joy divine
Heavenly converse blissful holding,
Tells how bright His glories shine.
Some on God's high glories dwelling,
Brightly beaming in His face;
Some His first-born greatness telling—
Ordering all things in their place:
These—of Godhead's counsels deep
Him th' Accomplisher proclaim;
These—how Jesus' self could weep,
Of Godhead's love the Witness came.
All on love surpassing rest,
That clothed in flesh the great I AM;
Till, from one heart, divinely prest,
Bursts forth at length the loud exclaim—
“Praise the Lamb!" At once awaking,
The gathered hosts their voices throng;
Loud and wide—each tongue partaking—
Rolls renewed the endless song.
Grateful incense this, ascending,
Rises to the Father's throne;
Every knee to Christ is bending;
All the mind in heaven is one.
All the Father's counsels claiming
Equal honors to the Son;
All the Son's effulgence beaming—
Glory of His Father's throne.
By the Spirit all-pervading,
Radiant hosts unnumber'd round,
Breathing glory never-fading,
Echo back the blissful sound.
Joyful now the wide creation
Rests in undisturbed repose;
Blest in Jesus' full salvation,
Sorrow now nor thraldom knows.
Rich the streams of bounty flowing—
Common blessings from above,
Life and holy joy, bestowing—
Tell of God's unwearied love.
Hark! the heavenly notes again!
Loudly swells the air-borne praise;
Throughout creation's vault, "Amen!"
"Amen!" responsive joy doth raise.