Before the heaven were spread abroad

1Before the heaven were spread abroad,
From everlasting was the Word;
With God he was, the Word was God,
And must divinely be adored.

2Ere sin was born, or Satan fell,
He led the host of morning stars;
His generation who can tell,
Or count the number of his years!

3But lo! he leaves those heavenly forms,
The Word descends and dwells in clay,
That he may converse hold with worms,
Dressed in such feeble flesh as they.

4The angels leave their high abode,
To learn new mysteries here, and tell
The love of our descending God,
The glories of Immanuel.