San Francisco Central Seventh-day Adventist Church

<< Back | Music Ministry | Index to Grace Notes >>

91 Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones

Today's Hymn of Praise is Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones, an obvious reference to the cherubim who guard the throne of God.

The tune, LASST UNS ERFREUEN — which uses an unusual meter — predated the words: it was in circulation in Germany before 1700. It fell out of use for centuries, and was revived when the English hymnodist John Riley rediscovered it, and wrote these words for it in 1906.

Ye watchers and ye holy ones,
Bright seraphs, cherubim and thrones,
Raise the glad strain, Alleluia!
Cry out, dominions, princedoms, powers,
Virtues, archangels, angels’ choirs:

Refrain:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!

O higher than the cherubim,
More glorious than the seraphim,
Lead their praises, Alleluia!
Thou bearer of th’eternal Word,
Most gracious, magnify the Lord.

Refrain

O friends, in gladness let us sing,
Supernal anthems echoing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One.

Refrain