3 In vain the sons of men deny
The God who rules and reigns on high;
His works His power and skill proclaim,
And raise their honours to his name.
14 Creation and Providence (Ps. civ.). L.M.
1 GOD from His cloudy cistern pours
On the parched earth enriching showers;
The grove, the garden, and the field,
A thousand joyful blessings yield.
2 How vast Thy works! how great Thy skill! And every land Thy riches fill;
While the whole race of creatures stands Waiting their portions from Thy hands. 3 The earth stands trembling at Thy stroke, And at Thy touch the mountains smoke; Yet humble souls may see Thy face, And tell their wants to sovereign grace. 15
1 How wondrous is this frame,
As I its parts survey!
These hands, these feet, this body came
But from a mass of clay.
2 And in this fair machine Dwells an immortal mind, Placed there by some great hand unseen, For some great end designed. 3 Before Thy gracious throne, Thou condescending Lord,
Help me to bow, and humbly own
Thy name should be adored.
4 'Twas Thou who gav'st me breath,
And bid'st me live and move;
may I bless Thy name till death,
Then worship Thee above!
Perfection of God's Works.
1 ALMIGHTY God! there are no works
So wonderful as Thine:
Where'er they turn, our eyes behold
Some bountiful design.
2 How perfect every object leaves
Thine all-creating hand,
From yonder ruler of the day
To this small grain of sand!
3 How things above and things below
Obey Thy forming will!
Nor is Thy wisdom less perceived
Than Thine unbounded skill.
4. Thy goodness shines in every place,
E'en where destruction lurks;
Thy tender mercy and Thy care
Are over all Thy works.
The Great Builder.
1 JEHOVAH'S Works Jehovah praise,
They all His glory sing;
With His great name, rocks, hills, and seas, And heaven's high arches ring.
2 His hand, how wide it spreads the sky; How glorious to behold!
Tinged with a blue of heavenly dye,
And starred with sparkling gold.
3 His glories blaze all nature round,
And strike the gazing sight,
Thro' skies, and seas, and solid ground,
With terror and delight.
4 Infinite strength and equal skill
Shine through the worlds abroad;
Our souls with vast amazement fill,
And speak the builder-God!
1 'Tis by Thy strength the mountains stand, God of eternal power!
The sea grows calm at Thy command,
And tempests cease to roar.
2 Thy morning light, and ev'ning shade,
Successive comforts bring;
Thy plenteous fruits make harvest glad,
Thy flowers adorn the spring.
3 Seasons, and times, and moons, and hours,
Heaven, earth, and air are thine;
When clouds distil in fruitful show'rs,
The Author is divine.
4 Those wandering cisterns in the sky,
Borne by the winds around,
With watery treasures well supply
The furrows of the ground.
5 The thirsty ridges drink their fill,
And ranks of corn appear:
Thy ways abound with blessings still,
Thy goodness crowns the year.
The God of Nature.
1 GOD on us, in kindly showers,
Blessings every moment pours:
Parents, friends, 'twas God bestowed;
Life and all descend from God.
2 He this flowery carpet spread;
Made the earth on which we tread;
Gives His sun and rain, to yield
All the blessings of the field.
3 God refreshes with the air;
Covers with the clothes we wear
;
Feeds us with the food we eat ;
Cheers us by His light and heat.
4 0 that we in truth may give
Thanks for all that we receive!
He is worthy, God and Lord,
To be honoured and adored.
All Blessings from God.
1 WE plough the fertile meadows,
We sow the furrowed land;
But all the growth and increase
Are in God's mighty hand :
He gives the showers and sunshine,
To swell the quick'ning grain;
The springing corn He blesses,
He clothes the golden plain.
2 By Him all things were fashioned
Around us and afar;
He formed the earth and ocean,
He kindled every star :
His love ordained the seasons;
By Him are all things fed;
He for the sparrow careth,
He gives our daily bread.
God's Providence.
1 THERE's not a sparrow, nor a worm,
But's found in God's decrees;
He raises monarchs to their thrones,
And sinks them if He please.
2 If light attend the course I run,
'Tis He provides those rays;
And 'tis His hand that hides my sun,
If darkness cloud my days.
3 When He reveals the book of life,
There may I read my name,
Among the chosen of His love,
The followers of the Lamb!
Wisdom of Providence.
1 THY ways, O Lord, with wise design,
Are framed upon Thy throne above,
And every dark and bending line
Meets in the centre of Thy love.
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