Make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.
Psalm 98:6
Words: Mary C. Bourdillon, A Mother’s Hymns for Her Children, 1849.
Music: Nearer Home Isaac B. Woodbury, 1852; harmony by Arthur S. Sullivan, 1874 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Bourdillon (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Above yon clear blue sky,
Beyond our feeble sight,
The God of glory dwells on high
In everlasting light.
Around His glorious throne
The holy angels stand;
In songs of praise their king they own,
Or fly at His command.
And we may praise Him, too,
And serve Him here below;
He stoops to mark what children do,
Their inmost thoughts to know;
And though He reigns above,
Where angels ceaseless praise,
He will accept our humble love,
And lead us in His ways.
O may we humbly seek
To do His holy will,
And try, with thankful hearts and meek,
To sing His praises still;
And then for Jesus’ sake,
Who came for us to die,
Our happy spirits He will take
To praise Him in the sky.