Hymn 402. The Joys of Heaven


Come Lord, and warm each languid heart,

Inspire each lifeless tongue;

And let the joys of Heaven impart

Their influence to our song.


Then to the shining seats of bless

The wings of faith shall soar,

And all the charms of Paradise

Our raptur’d thoughts explore.


Pleasures, unsullied, flourish there,

Beyond the reach of time:

Not blooming Eden smil’d so far,

In all her flowery prime.


No sun shall gild the blest abode

With his meridian ray,

But the more radiant throne of God

Diffuse eternal day.


Sorrow, and pain, and every care,

And discord there shall cease,

And perfect joy and love sincere

Adorn the realms of peace.


The soul, from sin for ever free,

Shall mourn its power no more,

But cloath’d in spotless purity,

Redeeming love adore.


There on a throne, (how dazling bright!)

The exalted Saviour shines;

And beams ineffable delight

On all the heavenly minds.


There shall the followers of the Lamb

Join in immortal songs;

And endless honours to his name

Employ their tuneful tongues.


While sweet reflection calls to mind

The scenes of mortal care,

When God, their God, for ever kind,

Was present to their prayer;


How will the wonders of his grace

In their full lustre shine?

His wisdom, power, and faithfulness,

All glorious! all divine!

The Saviour, dying, rising, crown’d,

Shall swell the lofty strains,

Seraph and saint his praise resound,

Through all th’etherial plains.


But oh! their transports, oh! their songs,

What mortal thought can paint?

Transcendent glory awes our tongues,

And all our notes are faint.


Lord, tune our hearts to praise and love,

Our feeble notes inspire;

Till in thy blissful courts above,

We join the heavenly choir.


Collection of Hymns Adapted to Public Worship, no. 402 (stanzas 1-3, 5-8, 13); Poems, 1780, vol. 1, pp. 34-7; MS, Steele Collection, Angus Library, Regents Park College, STE 3/1/1 no. 14. also Nonconformist Women Writers, vol. 1, pp. 55-57.