Sung during the Sunday worship at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London (Spurgeon’s).
Hymn 19 version 1 (based on Psalm 19) from our hymn book, Psalms & Hymns of Reformed Worship.
THE heavens declare Thy glory, Lord;
In every star Thy wisdom shines;
But when our eyes behold Thy Word,
We read Thy name in fairer lines.
Sun, moon, and stars convey Thy praise
Round the whole earth, and never stand;
So when Thy Truth began its race,
It touched and glanced on every land.
Nor shall Thy spreading Gospel rest,
Till through the world Thy Truth has run;
Till Christ has all the nations blest
That see the light, or feel the sun.
Great Sun of Righteousness, arise,
Bless the dark world with heavenly light;
Thy Gospel makes the simple wise;
Thy laws are pure, Thy judgements right.
Thy noblest wonders here we view,
In souls renewed and sins forgiven:
Lord, cleanse my sins, my soul renew,
And make Thy Word my guide to Heaven.”
Author: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Tune: Fulda
Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) arr. William Gardiner (1770-1853)