I
When o’er the world Augustus reigned,
The rule of kingships felt decay;
And when our Lord appeared as Man,
The idol shrines were swept away.

II
One earthly power the people knew,
One world-embracing rule obeyed;
Then Gentiles to the Godhead knelt,
And undivided homage paid.

III
And when the monarch’s will was known,
A census of the tribes was told;
Then, in the name of Christ their God,
His faithful subjects were enrolled.

IV
For great Thy mercy is to us,
O God, our King, Whose rule we own,
And we will render while we live,
One glory to Thy name alone.