Stand up and bless the Lord. (Carlisle)

Text: James Montgomery 1771-1854

Son of a Moravian minister he attended Fullneck Seminary in Yorkshire.
He was first a member of staff and later editor of the Sheffield Iris.
The editing of his paper, the composition and publication of his poems and hynms, the delivery of lectures on poetry in Sheffield and at the Royal Institution, London, and the earnest advocacy of Foreign Missions and the Bible Society in many parts of the country, gave great variety but very little of stirring incident to his life.

Music: Charles Lockhart 1748-1815

Lockhart was first organist of the Lock Hospital, and was for some years associated with Martin Madan in the musical arrangements there. Though blind from infancy, Lockhart had a distinct musical gift, and was especially known for training children’s choirs. His earliest tunes were printed on separate sheets. He published a set of hymn tunes about 1810.

The second half of the tune is played as an introduction.

Stand up and bless the Lord, 
All 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? 

Oh for the living flame 
From His own altar brought, 
To touch our lips our minds inspire, 
And wing to heaven our thought! 

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,
Henceforth forevermore.