Orlando Gibbons: Glorious and Powerful God (Winchester Cathedral)

Performance by the Choir of Winchester Cathedral, David Hill conducting. [listen]

Glorious and Powerful God,
We understand thy dwelling is on high
Above the starry sky.

Thou dwell’st not in stone temples made with hands,
But in the flesh hearts of the sons of men
To dwell is thy delight, near hand, though out of sight.

We give of thine own hand,
Thy acceptation is very life and blood,
To all actions good:
Whenever here or hence our supplication,
From pure and with unfeigned hearts
To thee ascends, be present with thy grace,
Show us thy loving face.

O down on us full show’rs of mercy send;
Let thy love’s burning beams
Dry up all our sins’ streams;
Arise, O Lord, and come into thy rest.
Both now and evermore thy name be blest,
Founder and foundation of endless habitation.
Amen.