PARAPHRASE OF PSALM CXLVII.
Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights.
Praise ye the Lord! on every height
Songs to his glory raise!
Ye angel-hosts, ye stars of light[1],
Join in immortal praise!
Oh! heavens of heavens! let praise far-swelling
From all thine orbs be sent!
Join in the strain, ye waters, dwelling
Above the firmament!
For His the word which gave you birth,
And majesty, and might;
Praise to the Highest from the earth,
And let the deeps unite!
Oh! fire and vapor, hail and snow,
Ye servants of His will!
Oh! stormy winds, that only blow
His mandates to fulfil;
Mountains and rocks, to heaven that rise;
Fair cedars of the wood;
Creatures of life, that wing the skies,
Or track the plains for food;
Judges of nations! kings, whose hand
Waves the proud sceptre high!
Oh! youths and virgins of the land,
Oh! age and infancy!
Praise ye His name, to whom alone
All homage should be given;
Whose glory, from the eternal throne
Spreads wide o'er earth and heaven!