Classic Poem

On the DIVINE GOODNESS.

Awake, my soul, and to th' Almighty King,
In lofty strains, triumphant praises sing;
Let all thy pow'rs their noblest force excite,
And spread his glory with sincere delight;
Extol him with uninterrupted joy,
And let his love thy longest breath employ.
O come, you blest adorers of his name,
And listen while his goodness I proclaim:
But, oh! my trembling tongue attempts in vain
The boundless subject, in a mortal strain;
Some angel lend me his melodious lyre,
And with celestial skill my breast inspire;
On wings of sacred rapture let me rise
And join my hallelujah's with the skies.
But, mighty God, how shall a mortal worm,
A span of earth, the glorious task perform?
Swallow'd in pleasure and divine surprize,
I view thy love's unbounded mysteries:
In all thy wond'rous paths I gladly trace
Indulgent goodness and stupendous grace.
When I the dreadful precipice survey,
Where thoughtless and insensible I lay;
While fiery billows roll'd along below,
And gaping gulphs shew'd scenes of endless woe;
'Twas then, 'twas then, unmeasurable love
Did to my soul its glorious methods prove.