O for a Shout of Joy (EN 467)

1

O for a shout of joy, loud as the theme we sing!

To this divine employ your hearts and voices bring;

Sound, sound, through all the earth abroad,

The love, th’eternal love of God;

The love, th’eternal love of God.

2

Unnumbered myriads stand, of seraphs bright and fair,

Or bow at His right hand, and pay their homage there;

But strive in vain, with loudest chord,

To sound the wondrous love of God;

To sound the wondrous love of God.

3

Yet sinners saved by grace, in songs of lower key,

In every age and place, have sung the mystery;

Have told, in strains of sweet accord,

The love, the sovereign love of God;

The love, the sovereign love of God.

4

Though earth and hell assail, and doubts and fears arise,

The weakest shall prevail, and grasp the heavenly prize,

And through an endless age record

The love, th’unchanging love of God;

The love, th’unchanging love of God.