Hymn 18. The Condescension of God

I Kings 8. 27.

Eternal power, almighty God,

Who can approach thy throne?

Accessless light is thy abode,

To angel-eyes unknown.

Before the radiance of thine eye

The heavens no longer shine,

And all the glories of the sky

Are but the shade of thine.

Great God, and wilt thou condescend

To cast a look below,

To this vile world thy notice bend,

These seats of sin and woe?

But oh! to shew thy smiling face,

To bring thy glories near –

Amazing and transporting grace

To dwell with mortals here!

How strange! how awful is thy love!

With trembling we adore:

Not all th’exalted minds above

Its wonders can explore.

While golden harps, and angel tongues

Resound immortal lays,

Great God, permit our humble songs

To rise and mean thy praise.

Collection of Hymns Adapted to Public Worship, no. 18 (all stanzas); Poems, 1780, vol. 1, pp. 65-66; also MS, Steele Collection, Angus Library, Regents Park College, STE 3/1/1 no. 30; also Nonconformist Women Writers, vol. 1, pp. 77-78.