"Before the Lord We Bow"
                       by Francis S. Key, 1779-1843
                                Text From:
                            THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
               (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)



        1. Before the Lord we bow,
        The God who reigns above
        And rules the world below
        In boundless pow'r and love.
        Our thanks we bring,
        In joy and praise
        Our hearts we raise
        To heav'n's high King.

        2. The nation Thou hast blest
        May well Thy love declare,
        From foes and fears at rest,
        Protected by Thy care.
        For this fair land,
        For this bright day,
        Our thanks we pay--
        Gifts of Thy hand.

        3. May ev'ry mountain height,
        Each vale and forest green,
        Shine in Thy Word's pure light
        And its rich fruits be seen!
        May ev'ry tongue
        Be tuned to praise
        And join to raise
        A grateful song!

        4. Earth, hear thy Maker's voice,
        Thy great Redeemer own;
        Believe, obey, rejoice,
        And worship Him alone.
        Cast down thy pride,
        Thy sin deplore,
        And bow before
        The Crucified.

        5. And when in power He comes,
        Oh, may our native land
        From all its rending tombs
        Send forth a glorious band,
        A countless throng,
        For aye to sing
        To heaven's high King
        Salvation's song!

        

        Notes:
        Hymn #575 from _The Lutheran Hymnal_
        Text: Psalm 145:1
        Author: Francis S. Key, 1832, alt.
        Composer: John Darwall, 1770
        Tune: "Darwall's 148th"