Thou, true and only God, leadest forth

Thou, true and only God, leadest forth

Author: John Wesley
Tune: GERMANY (Gardiner)
Published in 18 hymnals

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Representative Text

1. Thou, true and only God, lead’st forth
Th’immortal armies of the sky;
Thou laugh’st to scorn the gods of earth,
Thou thunderest, and amazed they fly.

2. With downcast eye th’angelic choir
Appear before Thy awful face;
Trembling they strike the golden lyre,
And through Heav’n’s vault resound Thy praise,

3. In earth, in Heaven, in all Thou art;
The conscious creature feels Thy nod,
Whose forming hand on every part
Impressed the image of its God.

4. Thine, Lord, is wisdom, Thine alone;
Justice and truth before Thee stand;
Yet, nearer to Thy sacred throne,
Mercy withholds Thy lifted hand.

5. Each evening shows Thy tender love,
Each rising morn Thy plenteous grace
Thy wakened wrath doth slowly move,
Thy willing mercy flies apace.

6. To Thy benign indulgent care,
Father, this light, this breath we owe;
And all we have, and all we are,
From Thee, great source of being, flow.

7. Parent of good, Thy bounteous hand
Incessant blessings down distils,
And all in air, or sea, or land,
With plenteous food and gladness fills.

8. All things in Thee live, move, and are,
Thy power infused doth all sustain;
E’en those Thy daily favors share
Who thankless spurn Thy easy reign.

9. Thy sun Thou bidd’st his genial ray
Alike on all impartial pour;
To all, who hate or bless Thy sway,
Thou bidd’st descend the fruitful shower.

10. Yet, while at length who scorned Thy might
Shall feel Thee a consuming fire,
How sweet the joys, the crown how bright,
Of those who to Thy love aspire!

11. All creatures, praise th’eternal name!
Ye hosts that to His court belong,
Cherubic choirs, seraphic flames,
Awake the everlasting song!

12. Thrice Holy! Thine the kingdom is,
The power omnipotent is Thine,
And when created nature dies,
Thy never-ceasing glories shine.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #6692

Author: John Wesley

John Wesley, the son of Samuel, and brother of Charles Wesley, was born at Epworth, June 17, 1703. He was educated at the Charterhouse, London, and at Christ Church, Oxford. He became a Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford, and graduated M.A. in 1726. At Oxford, he was one of the small band consisting of George Whitefield, Hames Hervey, Charles Wesley, and a few others, who were even then known for their piety; they were deridingly called "Methodists." After his ordination he went, in 1735, on a mission to Georgia. The mission was not successful, and he returned to England in 1738. From that time, his life was one of great labour, preaching the Gospel, and publishing his commentaries and other theological works. He died in London, in 17… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Thou, true and only God, leadest forth
Author: John Wesley
Meter: 8.8.8.8
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

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The Cyber Hymnal #6692
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The Cyber Hymnal #6692

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