Where Is This Stupendous Stranger?

Words: Christopher Smart (1722-1771);
Smart's original second line in verse 1 read "Swains of Solyma, advise?"
as altered in The Hymnal 1982

Music: Rustington, MIDI / Noteworthy Composer
Kit Smart,  Ottery St. Mary, Castiglione
Meter: 87 87 D

1. Where is this stupendous stranger?
Prophets, shepherds, kings, advise.
Lead me to my Master's manger,
show me where my Savior lies.
O Most Mighty! O Most Holy!
Far beyond the seraph's thought:
art thou then so weak and lowly
as unheeded prophets taught?

2. O the magnitude of meekness!
Worth from worth immortal sprung;
O the strength of infant weakness,
if eternal is so young!
God all-bounteous, all-creative,
whom no ills from good dissuade,
is incarnate, and a native
of the very world he made.

 

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