I came across the hymn, Fill the Earth with Praise recently, and have come to really appreciate it. I love how doctrinal the words are throughout it. On occasion, I believe that it is very beneficial to dwell on an old, perhaps more “lofty” anthem, with words that require you to think. Isaac Watts wrote the text for this hymn, and recently, Soundforth (yes, I know, Bob Jones University, but bear with me here) set a melody composed by Sir Hubert Parry called Jerusalem (essentially the UK’s un-official national anthem) with the text by Isaac Watts.
Preview of Fill the Earth with Praise –It is the sixth track in the album.
by Sir Isaac Watts, Robert Spence, Sir Hubert Parry, and Richard Nichols.
From all that dwell below the skies, Let the Creator’s praise arise; Let the Redeemer’s Name be sung Through ev’ry land, by ev’ry tongue.Chorus: In ev’ry land begin the song; To ev’ry land the strains belong; In cheerful sounds all voices raise, And fill the earth with loudest praise.
Eternal are Thy mercies, Lord; Eternal truth attends Thy Word. Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, Until suns rise and set no more.
Your lofty themes, ye mortals, bring, In songs of praise divinely sing; The great salvation loud proclaim, And shout for joy the Savior’s name.