Worshipping with Fear.
I
Who dares attempt th'eternal name
With notes of mortal sound?
Dangers and glories guard the theme,
And spread despair around.
II
Destruction waits t'obey his frown,
And heav'n attends his smile:
A wreath of lightning arms his crown,
But love adorns it still.
III
Celestial King, our spirits lie,
Trembling beneath thy feet,
And wish, and cast a longing eye,
To reach thy lofty seat.
IV
When shall we see the great Unknown,
And in thy presence stand?
Reveal the splendors of thy throne,
But shield us with thy hand.
V
In thee what endless wonders meet!
What various glory shines!
The crossing rays too fiercely beat
Upon our fainting minds.
VI
Angels are lost in sweet surprise
If thou unveil thy grace;
And humble awe runs thro' the skies,
When wrath arrays thy face.
VII
When mercy joins with majesty
To spread their beams abroad,
Not all their fairest minds on high
Are shadows of a God.
VIII
Thy works the strongest seraph sings
In a too feeble strain,
And labours hard on all his strings
To reach thy thoughts in vain.
IX
Created powers, how weak they be!
How short our praises fall!
So much a-kin to nothing we,
And thou th'eternal All.
