Words: James Montgomery, 1824. The hymn was written for the anniversary celebration of the Red Hill Wesleyan Sunday School in Sheffield, England. The original second line was
Ye children of His choice.
Stand up and bless the Lord
Ye people of His choice;
Stand up and bless the Lord your God,
With heart, and soul, and voice.
Though high above all praise,
Above all blessing high,
Who would not fear His holy name,
And laud, and magnify?
O for the living flame
From His own altar brought,
To touch our lips, our minds inspire,
And wing to Heav’n our thought!
There with benign regard,
Our hymns He deigns to hear;
Though unrevealed to mortal sense,
The Spirit feels Him near.
God is our strength and song,
And His salvation ours;
Then be His love in Christ proclaimed
With all our ransomed powers.
Stand up and bless the Lord;
The Lord your God adore;
Stand up and bless His glorious name;