II.—Praise for Creation and Providence.
1I Sing the Almighty power of God.
that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
and built the lofty skies.
2I sing the wisdom that ordain'd
the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at his command,
and all the stars obey.
3I sing the goodness of the Lord,
that filled the earth with food;
He formed the creatures with his word,
and then pronounc'd them good.
4Lord, how many wonders are display'd
where'er I turn mine eye!
If I survey the ground I tread,
or gaze upon the sky.
5There's not a plant or flower below,
but makes thy glories known;
And clouds arise, and tempests blow,
by order from thy throne.
6Creatures (as numerous as they be)
are subject to thy care;
There's not a place where we can flee,
but God is present there.
7In heaven he shines with beams of love,
with wrath in hell beneath;
'Tis on his earth I stand or move,
and 'tis his air I breath.
8His hand is my perpetual guard,
he keeps me with his eye;
Why should I then forget the Lord,
who is for ever nigh?