This morning’s processional hymn for the Fourth Sunday in Advent service at Christ Church Cathedral, Whitehorse.  (Hymn #385 in the Anglican Church of Canada's hymn book, Common Praise.)

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,
bow down before him, his glory proclaim;
gold of obedience and incense of lowliness,
bring and adore him the Lord is his Name.

Low at his feet lay thy burden of carefulness,
high on his heart he will bear it for thee;
comfort thy sorrows and answer thy prayerfulness,
guiding thy steps as may best for thee be.

Fear not to enter his courts in the slenderness
of the poor wealth thou wouldst reckon as thine;
truth in its beauty, and love in its tenderness,
these are the offerings to lay on his shrine.

These though we bring them in trembling and fearfulness,
he will accept for the Name that is dear,
mornings of joy give for evenings of tearfulness,
trust for out trembling, and hope for our fear.

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,
bow down before him, his glory proclaim;
gold of obedience and incense of lowliness,
bring and adore him the Lord is his Name.

Words: John Samuel Bewley Monsell, 1863
Music: Üttingen, Dymchurch

The first line of the hymn is taken from the words of Psalm 29:2, Psalm 96:9, and 1 Chronicles 16:29.

Because the first verse reflects the story of the Wise Men bringing gifts to the infant Jesus, this hymn is often associated with the season of Epiphany.

The author of the text was the Rev J. S. B. Monsell (1811-75), an Irish-born Anglican rector who ministered at St James, Ramoan, Co Antrim, before moving to England.  He served as Vicar of Egham, Surrey, and then as Rector of St Nicholas, Guildford, where he died in an accident during re-building of the church.