Classic Poem

1.

Ye Blest Inhabitants of Heav'n,
To God be all your praises giv'n;
O praise him from the realms that lie
Above the reach of mortal eye:
Him praise, ye Angels of his Train,
Him, All whom Heav'n's vast Hosts contain.

2.

Praise Him, thou glorious orb of light,
And Thou, pale Ruler of the night;
Praise Him, ye Stars; His praise repeat,
Thou Heav'n of Heav'ns, his awful Seat,
And You, ye Floods, that, heap'd on high,
Press with your weight th' extended sky.

3.

Let These to God their voices rear,
Who bade them be; and strait they were:
Who bids them stand; and stand they shall;
Nor aught the Mandate shall recall,
That, fix'd by his Almighty Mind,
To endless age their date assign'd.

4.

Nor let the Heav'n his praise confine;
O All of Earth the chorus join:
Ye Whales, ye Deeps, in praise conspire,
Snow, Vapour, Hail, and bick'ring Fire,
And ev'ry Wind, and ev'ry Storm,
That duteous his behests perform; —

5.

Ye lesser Hills, ye Mountains high,
Ye Trees, whose fruits Man's food supply,
Ye Cedars, whose expanded Shade
Nor Storms nor Ages teach to fade,
Ye Beasts, that range th' uncultur'd soil,
Or patient lend to Man your toil.

6.

Praise Him, each Bird that wings the air,
Each Reptile, nurtur'd by his care;
Ye Kings and Nations of the Earth;
O praise him All of princely birth,
And Ye, whose Doom, as Justice guides,
The long-contested cause decides.

7.

Ye Youthful Bands and Virgin Choir,
Each lisping Babe, and hoary Sire,
Wake to his Name your grateful songs;
To Him alone all Praise belongs;
His glory Earth's wide bounds o'erflows,
Nor highest Heav'n its limit knows.

8.

Ye Tribes, exalted by his Arm,
You, chief, the heav'nly Theme shall warm,
Blest Sons of Israel 's hallow'd Land,
Who neighb'ring to his presence stand:
O come, your thankful voices raise,
And consecrate to Him your praise.