But pleasures more refined
Await that blessed day,
When light arises in the mind,
To chase our sins away.
How various and how new
Are thy compassions, Lord!
Eternity Thy love shall show,
And all Thy truth record.
1 Light of the world, immortal mind!
Father of all the human kind,
Whose boundless eye that knows no rest,
Intent on nature's ample breast,
Explores the space of earth and skies.
And sees eternal incense rise!
To Thee my humble voice I raise,
Forgive, while I presume to praise.
2 Though Thou this transient being gave,
That shortly sinks into the grave;
Yet 't was Thy goodness still to give
A being that can think and live,
In all Thy works Thy wisdom see,
And stretch its towering mind to Thee.
To Thee my humble voice I raise,
Forgive, while I presume to praise.
3 O may I still Thy favour prove!
Still grant me gratitude and love;
Let truth and virtue guide my heart,
Nor peace, nor hope, nor joy depart;
But yet, whate'er my life may be,
My heart shall still repose on Thee.
To Thee my humble voice I raise,
Forgive, while I presume to praise,
1 Who can by searching find out God?
Who can ascend His bright abode ?
Yet, Lord, Thy glories we adore,
And long to know and love Thee more.
2 Thy hand unseen sustains the poles,
On which the vast creation rolls;
The starry skies proclaim Thy power,
Thy pencil glows in every flower.
3 In thousand shapes and colours rise Thy works to our admiring eyes, Where sense can reach, or fancy rove, From hill to vale, from field to grove.
4 Across the waves, around the sky, There's not a place, or deep or high, Where the Creator hath not trod, And left the footsteps of a God.
1 Love divine, all love excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down!
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,
All Thy faithful mercies crown!
Father! Thou art all compassion!
Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation,
Enter every trembling heart!
2 Breathe, O breathe Thy loving spirit Into every troubled breast;
Let us all in Thee inherit,
Let us find Thy promised rest.
Come, almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive!
Graciously come down, and never,
Never more Thy temples leave,
1 I sing the almighty power of God,
That made the mountains rise;
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
And built the lofty skies.
2 I sing the wisdom that ordained
The sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at His command, And all the stars obey.
3 I sing the goodness of the Lord,
That filled the earth with food;
He formed the creatures with His word.
And then pronounced them good.
4 Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed,
Where'er I turn mine eye;
If I survey the ground I tread,
Or gaze upon the sky!
5 There's not a plant or flower below
But makes Thy glories known;
And clouds arise, and tempests blow,
By order from Thy throne.
6 Creatures, as numerous as they be,
Are subject to Thy care;
There's not a place where we can flee,
But God is present there.
7 His hand is my perpetual guard ;
He keeps me with His eye;
Why should I then forget the Lord,
Who is for ever nigh?
1 Great God! the heavens' well-ordered frame Declares the glories of Thy name;
There Thy rich works of wonder shine; A thousand starry beauties there, A thousand radiant marks appear Of boundless power and skill divine.
2 From night to day, from day to night,
The dawning and the dying light
Lectures of heavenly wisdom read;
With silent eloquence, they raise
Our thoughts to our Creator's praise,
And neither sound nor language need
3 Yet their divine instructions run
Far as the journey of the sun,
And every nation knows their voice;
The sun, like a young bridegroom drest,
Breaks from the chambers of the east,
Rolls round, and makes the earth rejoice. 4 Where'er he spreads his beams abroad, He smiles, and speaks his maker God; All nature joins to show Thy praise; Thus God in every creature shines: Fair is the book of nature's lines, But fairer is the book of grace.
1 Heralds of creation! cry;
Praise the Lord, the Lord most high;
Heaven and earth! obey the call;
Praise the Lord, the Lord of all.
2 For He spake, and forth from night
Sprang the universe to light;
He commanded; -Nature heard,
And stood fast upon His word.
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