In sweet exalted strains

General information

In sweet exalted strains is a hymn by Benjamin Francis. It was included as Hymn 338 in John Rippon's Selection of Hymns, with a footnote recording that it was 'Sung on opening the Meeting House at Horsley, Gloucestershire, September 18, 1774; and also, at the opening of the New Meeting House, at Downend, near Bristol, October 4, 1786'.

Settings by composers (automated)

• Thomas Clark — In sweet exalted strains  English SATB

 

Text and translations

English text

1  In sweet exalted strains
The king of glory praise;
O'er heav'n and earth he reigns,
Through everlasting days:
He with a nod the world controls,
Sustains or sinks the distant poles.

2  To earth he bends his throne,
His throne of grace divine;
Wide is his bounty known,
And wide his glories shine;
Fair Salem, still his chosen rest,
Is with his smiles and presence blest.

3  Then, king of glory, come,
And with thy favour crown
This temple as thy dome,
This people as thine own:
Beneath this roof, O deign to show,
How God can dwell with men below.

4  Here may thine ears attend
Our interceding cries,
And grateful praise ascend
All fragrant to the skies:
Here may thy word melodious sound,
And spread celestial joys around.

5  Here may th'attentive throng
Imbibe thy truth and love,
And converts join the song
Of seraphim above,
And willing crowds surround thy board
With sacred joy and sweet accord.

6  Here may our unborn sons
And daughters sound thy praise,
And shine like polish'd stones,
Through long succeeding days;
Here, Lord, display thy saving pow'r,
While temples stand and men adore.

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