Common Praise (1998) ‎#426

426. 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.
The unwearied sun from day to day
does his Creator's power display;
and publishes to every land
the work of an almighty hand.

2 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:
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.

3 What though in solemn silence all
move round the dark terrestrial ball,
what though no real voice nor sound,
amid their radiant orbs be found;
in reason's ear they all rejoice,
and utter forth a glorious voice;
for ever singing as they shine,
"The hand that made us is divine."

Text Information

• First Line: The spacious firmament on high
• Title: The Spacious Firmament on High
• Author: Joseph Addison (1672-1719)
• Meter: LMD
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1998
• Scripture:
  Genesis 1:1-2:4
  ;
  Job 38:1-41
  ;
  Psalm 19
  ;
  Baruch 3:9-4:4
  ;
  Luke 21:25-36
• Topic: Creation

Tune Information

• Name: CREATION
• Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
• Trombone arrangement: Melva Treffinger Graham (1947-)
• Meter: LMD
• Source: Adapt. Dulcimer, or New York Collection of Sacred Music, 1850, alt.
• Copyright: Trombone arrangement © Melva Treffinger Graham