1.
God the Heav'ns aloud proclaim
Through their wide-extended frame,
And the Firmament each hour
Speaks the wonders of his pow'r:
2.
Day to the succeeding day
Joys the notice to convey,
And the Nights, in ceaseless round,
Each to each repeat the sound:
3.
Prompt, without or speech or tongue,
In his praise to form the song,
To the Lord they raise the theme,
Who of Gods is God Supreme.
4.
Pleas'd to hear their voice extend
Far as to her utmost end,
Earth the Heav'n-taught knowledge boasts
Through her many languag'd coasts;
5.
While the Sun above her head
Sees his tabernacle spread,
And from out his chamber bright
Like a Bridegroom springs to sight:
6.
See him with gigantic pace
Joyous run his destin'd race,
See him, ev'ry breast to chear,
Pass through Heav'n in swift career;
7.
Now to farthest regions borne
Onward speed, and now return,
And to All, with welcome ray,
Life and genial warmth convey.
8.
Warmth and life each thankful heart
Feels thy Law, great God, impart;
Clear from ev'ry spot it shines,
And the guilt-stain'd Thought refines;
9.
Truth's firm base its frame upholds,
While it Mysteries unfolds,
Which the childlike mind explores,
And to heav'nly science soars.
10.
Prest with sorrows, doubts, and fears,
What like this the spirit chears,
Big with acts that shall suggest
Lasting joy to ev'ry breast?
11.
What so perfect, what so pure?
What to Reason's eye obscure
Can such wondrous light afford
As the dictates of thy Word?
12.
Where thy Fear its fruit matures,
(Fruit, that endless years endures)
There the mind, with stedfast trust,
Owns thy statutes wife, and just.
13.
Nor can Gold such worth acquire
From the sev'nth exploring fire,
Nor the labour of the bees
E'er in sweetness vie with These:
14.
Taught by Them, thy Servant's breast
Joys the Blessings to attest
Heap'd on those whose hearts sincere
Learn thy Precepts to revere.
15.
Best Instructor, from thy ways
Who can tell how oft he strays?
Save from Error's growth my mind,
Leave not, Lord, one root behind:
16.
Purge me from the guilt that lies
Wrapt within my heart's disguise;
Let me thence, by Thee renew'd,
Each presumptuous sin exclude:
17.
So my lot shall ne'er be join'd
With the Men whose impious mind,
Fearless of thy just command,
Braves the vengeance of thy hand.
18.
Let my tongue, from error free,
Speak the words approv'd by Thee;
To thy all-observing eyes
Let my thoughts accepted rise:
19.
While I thus thy name adore,
And thy healing grace implore,
Blest Redeemer, bow thine ear,
God my Strength, propitious hear.
God the Heav'ns aloud proclaim
Through their wide-extended frame,
And the Firmament each hour
Speaks the wonders of his pow'r:
2.
Day to the succeeding day
Joys the notice to convey,
And the Nights, in ceaseless round,
Each to each repeat the sound:
3.
Prompt, without or speech or tongue,
In his praise to form the song,
To the Lord they raise the theme,
Who of Gods is God Supreme.
4.
Pleas'd to hear their voice extend
Far as to her utmost end,
Earth the Heav'n-taught knowledge boasts
Through her many languag'd coasts;
5.
While the Sun above her head
Sees his tabernacle spread,
And from out his chamber bright
Like a Bridegroom springs to sight:
6.
See him with gigantic pace
Joyous run his destin'd race,
See him, ev'ry breast to chear,
Pass through Heav'n in swift career;
7.
Now to farthest regions borne
Onward speed, and now return,
And to All, with welcome ray,
Life and genial warmth convey.
8.
Warmth and life each thankful heart
Feels thy Law, great God, impart;
Clear from ev'ry spot it shines,
And the guilt-stain'd Thought refines;
9.
Truth's firm base its frame upholds,
While it Mysteries unfolds,
Which the childlike mind explores,
And to heav'nly science soars.
10.
Prest with sorrows, doubts, and fears,
What like this the spirit chears,
Big with acts that shall suggest
Lasting joy to ev'ry breast?
11.
What so perfect, what so pure?
What to Reason's eye obscure
Can such wondrous light afford
As the dictates of thy Word?
12.
Where thy Fear its fruit matures,
(Fruit, that endless years endures)
There the mind, with stedfast trust,
Owns thy statutes wife, and just.
13.
Nor can Gold such worth acquire
From the sev'nth exploring fire,
Nor the labour of the bees
E'er in sweetness vie with These:
14.
Taught by Them, thy Servant's breast
Joys the Blessings to attest
Heap'd on those whose hearts sincere
Learn thy Precepts to revere.
15.
Best Instructor, from thy ways
Who can tell how oft he strays?
Save from Error's growth my mind,
Leave not, Lord, one root behind:
16.
Purge me from the guilt that lies
Wrapt within my heart's disguise;
Let me thence, by Thee renew'd,
Each presumptuous sin exclude:
17.
So my lot shall ne'er be join'd
With the Men whose impious mind,
Fearless of thy just command,
Braves the vengeance of thy hand.
18.
Let my tongue, from error free,
Speak the words approv'd by Thee;
To thy all-observing eyes
Let my thoughts accepted rise:
19.
While I thus thy name adore,
And thy healing grace implore,
Blest Redeemer, bow thine ear,
God my Strength, propitious hear.