Psalm 24 (with additions)
Words: Charles Wesley, "Psalms and Hymns," 1743
An interesting mixture of a fairly close translation of parts of the Psalm with added
verses referring to Christ's resurrection and return to heaven. This is typical of the
approach of Wesley and also of Isaac Watts.
1 THE earth with all her fullness own
Jehovah for her sovereign Lord;
The countless myriads of her sons
Rose into being at his word.
2 His word did out of nothing call
The world, and founded all that is;
Launched on the floods this solid ball,
And fixed it in the floating seas.
3 But who shall quit this low abode,
Who shall ascend the holy place,
And stand upon the mount of God,
And see his Maker face to face?
4 The man whose hands and heart are clean
That blessed portion shall receive;
Whoe'er by grace is saved from sin,
Hereafter shall in glory live.
5 He shall obtain the starry crown;
And, numbered with the saints of God,
The God of his salvation own,
The God of his salvation love.
SECOND PART.
6 OUR Lord is risen from the dead!
Our Jesus is gone up on high!
The powers of hell are captive led,
Dragged to the portals of the sky;
7 There his triumphal chariot waits,
And angels chant the solemn lay:
Lift up your heads, ye heavenly gates;
Ye everlasting doors, give way!
8 Loose all your bars of massy light,
And wide unfold the ethereal scene;
He claims these mansions as his right
Receive the King of glory in!
9 Who is this King of glory? Who?
The Lord that all our foes o'ercame;
The world, sin, death, and hell o'erthrew;
And Jesus is the conqueror's name.
10 Lo! his triumphal chariot waits,
And angels chant the solemn lay:
Lift up your heads, ye heavenly gates;
Ye everlasting doors give way!
11 Who is this King of glory? Who?
The Lord, of glorious power possessed;
The King of saints, and angels too,
God over all, for ever blessed!
