Psalm 148 (Version 2)

Loud hallelujahs to the Lord,

From distant worlds where creatures dwell:

Let heaven begin the solemn word,

And sound it dreadful down to hell.

Each of his works his Name displays,

But they can ne'er fulfil the praise.

The Lord! how absolute he reigns!

Let every angel bend the knee;

Sing of his love in heavenly strains,

And speak how fierce his terrors be.

High on a throne his glories dwell,

An awful throne of shining bliss:

Fly thro' the world, O sun, and tell

How dark thy beams compar'd to his.

Awake, ye tempests, and his fame

In sounds of dreadful praise declare;

And the sweet whisper of his Name

Fill every gentler breeze of air.

Let clouds, and winds, and waves agree

To join their praise with blazing fire;

Let the firm earth, and rolling sea,

In this eternal song conspire.

Ye flowery plains, proclaim his skill;

Vallies, lie low before his eye;

And let his praise from every hill

Rise tuneful to the neighbouring sky.

Ye stubborn oaks, and stately pines,

Bend your high branches and adore:

Praise him, ye beasts, in different strains;

The lamb must bleat, the lion roar.

Birds, ye must make his praise your theme,

Nature demands a song from you;

While the dumb fish that cut the stream

Leap up, and mean his praises too.

Mortals, can you refrain your tongue,

When nature all around you sings?

O for a shout from old and young,

From humble swains, and lofty kings!

Wide as his vast dominion lies

Make the Creator's name be known;

Loud as his thunder shout his praise,

And sound it lofty as his throne.

Jehovah! 'tis a glorious word,

O may it dwell on every tongue!

But saints who best have known the Lord

Are bound to raise the noblest song.

Speak of the wonders of that love

Which Gabriel plays on every chord:

From all below and all above,

Loud hallelujahs to the Lord!