1 Father in heaven, how great the grace,
On worms of earth bestow'd;
That we should hope to see thy face,
And share thy blest abode:
These glorious ranks of angels shine,
Within thy palace gate;
There stand in order forms divine,
Thy ministers of state.
2 There hosts of sapient cherubim,
With awful wisdom crowned;
And there are ardent seraphim,
For loyal hearts renown'd:
Oh how shall we, among those throngs
Appear, new raised from earth?
Will not our faltering, stammering tongues,
Reveal our meaner birth?
3 Lo! blood-wash'd millions, moving there,
For whom the Lamb was slain,
The brightest crowns in glory wear,
The highest seats obtain:
One family in heaven above
Dwell saints and angels blest;
The younger share the fonder love,
The favourites of the rest.
4 The dwellers in that holy place,
Around the glorious throne,
Behold each other face to face,
And know as they are known:
Nor envy there a place can find,
Nor haughtier feelings rise;
Love is the thought of every mind,
The language of the skies
Source: The Minstrel of Zion: a book of religious songs, accompanied with appropriate music, chiefly original #16