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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PARAPHRASE OF PSALM 148 by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS

Poet Analysis

First Line: PRAISE YE THE LORD! ON EVERY HEIGHT
Last Line: SPREADS WIDE O'ER EARTH AND HEAVEN!

PRAISE ye the Lord! on every height
Songs to His glory raise!
Ye angel-hosts, ye stars of night,
Join in immortal praise!

O heaven 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!

O fire and vapour, hail and snow,
Ye servants of His will;
O 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!
O youths and virgins of the land;
O 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!



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