Ye holy angels bright,
who wait at God's right hand,
or through the realms of light
fly at your Lord's command,
assist our song,
for else the theme
too high doth seem
for mortal tongue.
Ye blessed souls at rest,
who ran this earthly race
and now, from sin released,
behold your Savior's face,
his praises sound,
as in his sight
with sweet delight
ye do abound.
Ye saints, who toil below,
adore your heavenly King,
and onward as ye go
some joyful anthem sing;
take what he gives
and praise him still,
through good or ill,
who ever lives!
My soul, bear thou thy part,
triumph in God above:
and with a well-tuned heart
sing thou the songs of love!
Let all thy days
till life shall end,
whate'er he send,
be filled with praise!
Darwall's 148th is a great hymn tune. The descant on the 4th verse is awesome.
There are many more verses than the ones we have posted.
Pardon the lack of formatting, here is the complete text:
Ye holy Angels bright, Which stand before God’s throne, And dwell in glorious light, Praise ye the Lord each one. You there so nigh Are much more meet Than we the feet, For things so high.
You blessed souls at rest That see your Saviour’s face, Whose glory, even the least, Is far above our grace; God’s praises sound, As in his sight With sweet delight You do abound.
All nations of the earth, Extol the world’s great King; With melody and mirth His glorious praises sing. For he still reigns; And will bring low The proudest foe That him disdains.
Sing forth Jehovah’s praise, Ye saints that on him call; Magnify him always; His holy churches all In him rejoice; And there proclaim His Holy Name With sounding voice.
My soul, bear thou thy part! Triumph in God above! With a well-tuned heart Sing thou the songs of love. Thou art his own Whose precious blood, Shed for thy good, His love made known.
Though human help depart And flesh draw near to dust, Let Faith keep up my heart To love God true and just; And all my days Let no disease Cause me to cease His joyful praise.
Though sin would make me doubt, And fill my soul with fears, Though God seem to shut out My daily cries and tears, By no such frost Of sad delays Let thy sweet praise Be nipped and lost.
Away, distrustful care! I have thy promise, Lord. To banish all despair, I have thy oath and word. And therefore I Shall see thy face, And there thy grace Shall magnify.
Though sin and death conspire To rob thee of thy praise, Still towards thee I’ll aspire, And thou dull hearts canst raise. Open thy door; And when grim death Shall stop this breath I’ll praise thee more.
With thy triumphant flock Then I shall numbered be; Built on the eternal rock His glory we shall see. The heavens so high With praise shall ring. And all shall sing In harmony.
The sun is but a spark From the eternal light; Its brightest beams are dark To that most glorious sight. There the whole Chore With one accord Shall praise the Lord For evermore.