1 Before thy throne, eternal king,
Thy ministers their tribute bring,
Their tribute of united praise,
For heavenly news and peaceful days.

2 We sing the conquests of thy sword,
And publish loud thy healing word:
While angels sound thy glorious name,
Thy saving grace our lips proclaim.

3 Thy various service we esteem
Our sweet employ, our bliss supreme;
And, while we feel thy heavenly love,
We burn like seraphim above.

4 Nor seraphs there can ever raise
With us, an equal song of praise;
They are the noblest work of God,
But we— the purchase of his blood.

5 Still in thy work would we abound;
Still prune the vine, or plow the ground;
Thy sheep with wholesome pasture feed,
And watch them with unwearied heed.

6 Thou art our Lord, our life, our love,
Our care below, our crown above:
thy praise shall be our blest employ,
Thy presence our eternal joy.