2 Thick darkness brooded o'er the deep; 3 He bade the clouds ascend on high; 4 The liquid element below Was gathered by his hand; 5 With herbs, and plants, and fruitful trees, 6 Then, high in heaven's resplendent arch The moon to rule the night. 7 Next, from the deep the Almighty King Did vital beings frame; Fowls of the air of every wing, 8 To all the various brutal tribes 9 Then, chief o'er all his works below, His Maker's image blessed his soul, 10 Fair in the Almighty Maker's eye He viewed the fabric he had raised; 46 C. M. WATTS. Praise for Creation and Providence. 1 I SING the almighty power of God, 2 I sing the wisdom that ordained The moon shines full at his command, 3 I sing the goodness of the Lord, 4 Lord, how thy wonders are displayed, If I survey the ground I tread, 5 There's not a plant or flower below, 6 Creatures, as numerous as they be, There's not a place where we can flee 7 His hand is my perpetual guard; Why should I, then, forget the Lord, 47 L. M. WATTS. The Creator and Creatures. 1 FROM thy Great Self thy being springs; And self-sufficience bears them all. 2 Thy voice produced the seas and spheres, Bid the waves roar and planets shine; But nothing like thyself appears Through all these spacious works of thine. 3 Still restless nature dies and grows; From change to change the creatures run; Thy being no succession knows, And all thy vast designs are one. 4 Who can behold the blazing light? 48 L. M. WATTS. Creation, Dissolution, and Restoration of the World. 1 SING to the Lord that built the skies, 2 He formed the seas, and formed the hills, And round he turns the hasty years. 5 Yet, when the sound shall tear the skies, And lightning burn the globe below, Saints, you may lift your joyful eyes; There's a new heaven and earth for you. 49 L. M. The Perfections of God. WATTS. 1 BRIGHT King of glory, dreadful God, 2 Thy power hath formed, thy wisdom sways All nature with a sovereign word; And the bright world of stars obeys The will of their superior Lord. 3 Mercy and truth unite in one, And smiling sit at thy right hand; Eternal justice guards thy throne, And vengeance waits thy dread command. 4 A thousand seraphs, strong and bright, 50 C. M. The Divine Perfections. WATTS. 1 HOW shall I praise the eternal God, Who can ascend his high abode, 2 The great Invisible! he dwells 3 Those watchful eyes, that never sleep, His wisdom is a boundless deep, Where all our thoughts are drowned. 4 Speak we of strength? his arm is strong, 5 He knows no shadow of a change, Firm as a rock his truth remains, 45 |