97. He reigns; the Lord, the Saviour reigns!

1 He reigns; the Lord, the Savior reigns!
Praise him in evangelic strains:
Let the whole earth in songs rejoice,
And distant islands join their voice.

2 Deep are his counsels and unknown;
But grace and truth support his throne:
Tho' gloomy clouds his ways surround;
Justice is their eternal ground.

3 In robes of judgment, lo, he comes,
Shakes the wide earth and cleaves the tombs;
Before him burns devouring fire,
The mountains melt, the seas retire.

4 His enemies with sore dismay,
Fly from the sight and shun the day;
Then lift your heads, ye saints, on high,
And sing, for your redemption's nigh.

Part II.

5 The Lord is come; the heav’ns proclaim
His birth; the nations learn his name;
An unknown star directs the road
Of eastern sages to their God.

6 All ye bright armies of the skies,
Go, worship where the Saviour lies:
Angels and kings before him bow,
Those gods on high, and gods below.

7 Let idols totter to the ground,
And their own worshippers confound:
But Sion shall his glories sing,
And earth confess her sov'reign King.

Part III.

8 Th' Almighty reigns exalted high
O'er all the earth, o'er all the sky;
Tho' clouds and darkness veil his feet,
His dwelling is the mercy-seat.

9 O ye that love his holy name,
Hate ev'ry work of sin and shame;
He guards the souls of all his friends,
And from the snares of hell defends.

10 Immortal light, and joys unknown,
Are for the saints in darkness sown;
Those glorious seeds shall spring and rise,
And the bright harvest bless our eyes.

11 Rejoice, ye righteous, and record
The sacred honours of the Lord;
None but the soul that feels his grace
Can triumph in his holiness.

Text Information
First Line: He reigns; the Lord, the Saviour reigns!
Language: English
Publication Date: 1789
Scripture:
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