Poems (Hoffman)/A Song of Praise

by Martha Lavinia Hoffman

A SONG OF PRAISE

Thou, whose immortal praise is sung
 In hymns of deathless fame,
O, teach a feeble, faltering tongue
 To magnify Thy name!

Thy name, at which the angels fall
 And veil each shining brow,
Thy name, on which the lowliest call,
 To which the loftiest bow.

O, for a language to adore
 Thy glorious name on earth!
O, for a heavenly harp to pour
 Thy heartfelt praises forth!

O, for a hymn to praise Thee still,
 When centuries have fled;
When all who now life's stations fill
 Are numbered with the dead!

A hymn to praise Thee as thou art
 Redeemer, Lover, Friend,
Fraught with the language of my heart,
 "Till fleeting time shall end.

Alas! I learn how weak my powers
 The depths of love to reach,
How finite are these joys of ours,
 How vain is human speech.

Only a thankful heart, I bring
 For all thy love to give,
To Thee, by faltering faith, I cling;
 Who died, that I might live.

O, keep that heart in perfect peace!
 O, keep it pure and white!
That feeble, fluttering faith increase
 'Till changed to perfect sight.

Only for one sweet song, I yearn
 My gladness to express,
That some might turn to Thee, and learn
 What changeless pleasure is.

O, for the song the Blessed sing!
 O, for their living lyres!
O, for an angel's flaming wing
 To fan immortal fires!

Vainly, I long to sing Thy love,
 Thy changeless love to me,
O, for a life whose truth shall prove
 A silent psalm to Thee!

Help me in living faithfully
 To glorify Thy grace;
Then shall I sing eternally
 When I behold Thy face.