The blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.
1 Timothy 6:15
Words: John Quarles, Divine Meditations upon Several Subjects (London: 1655). Adapted by Thomas Darling, 1857.
Music: Leicester (Bishop) John Bishop, in A Sett of New Psalm Tunes, 1700 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
If you know where to get a good picture of Darling or Bishop (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
O King of kings, before whose throne
The angels bow, no gift can we
Present that is indeed our own,
Since Heaven and earth belong to Thee;
Yet this our souls through grace impart,
The offering of a thankful heart.
O Jesu, set at God’s right hand,
With Thine eternal Father plead
For all Thy loyal-hearted band,
Who still on earth Thy succor need:
For them in weakness strength provide,
And through the world their footsteps guide.
O Holy Spirit, fount of breath,
Whose comforts never fail nor fade,
Vouchsafe the life that knows no death,
Vouchsafe the light that knows no shade;
And grant that we may through all our days
May share Thy gifts, and sing Thy praise.