Church Book ‎#79

79. The spacious firmament on high

1 The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim.

2 The unwearied sun from day to day
Does his Creator's power display,
And publishes to every land
The work of an Almighty Hand.

3 Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The moon takes up the wondrous tale;
And nightly to the listening earth
Repeats the story of her birth:

4 Whilst all the stars that round her burn,
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings as they roll
And spread the truth from pole to pole.

5 What though in solemn silence all
Move round this dark terrestrial ball,
What though no real voice nor sound
Amidst their radiant orbs be found;

6 In reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice,
Forever singing as they shine,
"The Hand that made us is divine."

Text Information

• First Line: The spacious firmament on high
• Author: Joseph Addison (1712)
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1890
• Topic: Creation
• Notes: Now Public Domain. Alternate tune #46 or #300

Tune Information

• Name: ANGELS' SONG
• Key: G Major
• Notes: Now Public Domain. Composer from index: O. Gibbons, 1623. Har. and notation, Havergal