Classic Poem

Part I.

G OD'S glory the vast heav'ns proclaim,
The firmament His mighty frame;
Day unto day and night to night
The wonders of His works recite.
To these nor speech nor words belong,
Yet understood without a tongue.
The globe of earth they compass round,
Through all the world disperse their sound,
There is the sun's pavilion set,
Who from his rosy cabinet,
Like a fresh bridegroom shows his face,
And as a giant runs his race.
He riseth in the dawning east,
And glides obliquely to the west;
The world with his bright rays replete,
All creatures cherish'd by his heat.
God's laws are perfect, and restore
The soul to life, ev'n dead before.
His testimonies, firmly true,
With wisdom simple men endue.

Part II.

The Lord's commandments are upright,
And feast the soul with sweet delight.
His precepts are all purity,
Such as illuminate the eye;
The fear of God, soil'd with no stain,
Shall everlastingly remain.
Jehovah's judgments are divine,
With judgment He doth justice join;
Which men should more than gold desire,
Than heaps of gold refin'd by fire;
More sweet than honey of the hive,
Or cells where bees their treasure slive.
Thy servant is inform'd from thence;
They, their observers recompense.
Who knows what his offences be?
From secret sins O cleanse Thou me!
And from presumptuous crimes restrain,
Nor let them in Thy servant reign;
So shall I live in innocence,
Not spotted with that great offence.
My Fortress, my Deliverer;
O let the pray'rs my lips prefer,
And thoughts which from my heart arise,
Be acceptable in Thine eyes.