The Visible Creation

The God of nature and of grace In all His works appears; His goodness through the earth we trace, His grandeur in the spheres. Behold this fair and fertile globe, By Him in wisdom plann'd; 'Twas He who girded, like a robe, The ocean round the land. Life to the firmament your eye Thither His path pursue; His glory, boundless as the sky, O'erwhelms the wond'ring view. He bows the heavens - the mountains stand A highway for their God; He walks amidst the desert land, 'Tis Eden where He trod! The forests in His strength rejoice; Hark! on the evening breeze, As once of old, the Lord God's voice, Is heard among the trees. Here on the hills He feeds His herds. His flocks on yonder plains; His praise is warbled by the birds; Oh could we catch their strains! Mount with the lark and bear our song Up to the gates of light; Or, with the nightingale prolong Our numbers through the night! In every stream His bounty flows, Diffusing joy and wealth; In every breeze His spirit blows The breath of life and health. His blessings fall in plenteous showers Upon the lap of earth, That teems with foliage, fruit, and flowers, And rings with infant mirth. If God hath made this world so fair, Where sin and death abound, How beautiful beyond compare Will paradise be found!