“When Morning Gilds the Skies” is a hymn that celebrates the beauty of creation and the praise of God that arises with the dawning of each new day. The lyrics express a sense of awe and wonder at the natural world, attributing the beauty of the morning to the glory of God. The hymn is a joyful declaration of praise and gratitude for the blessings of life and the opportunity to worship the Creator.
The hymn’s origins can be traced back to the 19th century. The text was written by Edward Caswall, an English clergyman and hymn writer, in 1854. The lyrics were set to the tune “Laudes Domini” composed by Joseph Barnby. The combination of Caswall’s poetic language and Barnby’s uplifting melody has contributed to the enduring popularity of this hymn.
The lyrics of “When Morning Gilds the Skies” typically consist of several stanzas that reflect on the various elements of creation and how they point to the greatness of God. The hymn often begins by describing the beauty of the morning and then moves to broader themes of worship and praise.
When Morning Gilds The Skies (Christian Hymn) Lyrics
When morning gilds the sky,
our hearts awaking cry:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
in all our work and prayer
we ask his loving care:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
To God, the Word on high,
the hosts of angels cry:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let mortals too upraise
their voices in hymns of praise:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let earth’s wide circle round
in joyful notes resound:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let air and sea and sky
from depth to height reply:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this, when day is past,
of all our thoughts the last:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The night becomes as day
when from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Then let us join to sing
to Christ, our loving King:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this the eternal song
through all the ages long:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
