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Description: First published in Belknap's Middlesex Collection, 1802. Words by Jeremy Belknap, 1795, based on Isaac Watts, 1709, Hymn 23 of Book 2, in six stanzas. Daniel Belknap used the first two stanzas of Jeremy Belknap's hymn in his composition.
Isaac Watts, 1709 (Hymn 23, Book 2)
Descend from heaven, immortal Dove,
Stoop down and take us on thy wings,
And mount and bear us far above
The reach of these inferior things:
Beyond, beyond this lower sky,
Up where eternal ages roll;
Where solid pleasures never die,
And fruits immortal feast the soul.
O for a sight, a pleasing sight
Of our almighty Father's throne!
There sits our Savior crowned with light,
Clothed in a body like our own.
Adoring saints around him stand,
And thrones and powers before him fall;
The God shines gracious through the man,
And sheds sweet glories on them all.
O what amazing joys they feel
While to their golden harps they sing,
And sit on every heavenly hill,
And spread the triumphs of their King!
When shall the day, dear Lord, appear,
That I shall mount to dwell above,
And stand and bow amongst them there,
And view thy face, and sing, and love?
Jeremy Belknap, 1795
1. Descend, ye hosts of angels bright,
And bear me on your guardian wings;
Through regions of celestial light,
Above the reach of earthly things.
2. Beyond the curtain of the sky,
Up where eternal ages roll!
Where solid pleasures never die,
And fruits immortal feast the soul.
3. O for a beatific sight
Of our almighty Father's throne!
There sits our Savior, crowned with light,
Clothed with a body like our own.
4. Adoring saints around him stand,
And heavenly powers before him fall;
The God shines gracious through the man,
And sheds bright glories on them all.
5. What joys unspeakable they feel!
While to their golden harps they sing;
And echo from each heavenly hill
The glorious triumph of their King.
6. O may the happy day draw nigh,
When we shall rise to realms above,
To join the music of the sky,
And celebrate redeeming love.
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