What finite power, with ceaseless toil

Representative Text

1 What finite power, with ceaseless toil,
Can fathom the eternal Mind?
Or who th' almighty Three in One
By searching, to perfection find?

2 Angels and men in vain may raise,
Harmonious their adoring songs;
The laboring thought sinks down, opprest,
And praises die upon their tongues.

3 Yet would I lift my trembling voice
A portion of his ways to sing;
And mingling with his meanest works,
My humble, grateful tribute bring.

Source: Laudes Domini: a selection of spiritual songs ancient & modern (Abr. ed.) #152

Author: Elizabeth Scott

Scott, Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Thomas Scott, Independent Minister at Norwich, and sister of Thomas Scott, noted below, was born at Norwich about 1708. In 1751 she was married to Elisha Williams, who had been from 1726 to 1739 Rector of Yale College, U.S.A., and with him she proceeded to Connecticut. On the death of Mr. Williams she was married to the Hon. William Smith, of New York, who also predeceased her. She died at Wethersfield, Connecticut, June 13th, 1776. In connection with Miss Scott's hymns we are acquainted directly and indirectly with four manuscripts, each of which is interesting in itself. These are as follows:— i. The first manuscript is in the library of Yale College, New Haven, Connecticut. Mr. Franklin Bowditch… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: What finite power, with ceaseless toil
Author: Elizabeth Scott
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

SEASONS (Pleyel)


FOREST


HAMBURG

Lowell Mason (PHH 96) composed HAMBURG (named after the German city) in 1824. The tune was published in the 1825 edition of Mason's Handel and Haydn Society Collection of Church Music. Mason indicated that the tune was based on a chant in the first Gregorian tone. HAMBURG is a very simple tune with…

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Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 33 of 33)
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A Selection of Spiritual Songs #190

Calvary Selection of Spiritual Songs with Music for the Church and the Choir #d987

Chapel Hymns #d622

Church Melodies, a Collection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d1125

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Church Psalmody #H38

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Church Psalmody #38

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Laudes Domini #152

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Laudes Domini #253

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Manual of Christian Psalmody #38

Melodies of the Church #d1079

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Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs #403

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Psalms and Hymns, for Christian Use and Worship #H54

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Psalms and Hymns, for the Use of the German Reformed Church, in the United States of America. (2nd ed.) #20

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Psalms and Hymns #52

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Songs for the Sanctuary, or Hymns and Tunes for Christian Worship #213

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Songs for the Sanctuary; or Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship (Baptist Ed.) #213

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Songs for the Sanctuary; or, Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship (Words only) #213

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Songs for the Sanctuary #213

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Songs for the Sanctuary #213

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Songs for the Sanctuary #213

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Songs of the Church #118

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The Baptist Praise Book #158

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The Calvary Selection of Spiritual Songs #155

The Church of God Selection of Spiritual Songs for the Church and Choir #d983

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The New Laudes Domini #269

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The Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book #336a

The Sabbath Hymn Book. Baptist ed. #d1169

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The Vestry Singing Book #125a

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