II.CXLVII. Now let a spacious World arise

1 Now let a spacious World arise,
Said the Creator Lord;
At once th' obedient Earth and Skies,
Rose at his sov'reign Word.

[2 Dark was the Deep; the Waters lay
Confus'd, and drown'd the Land;
He call'd the Light; the new-born Day
Attends on his Command.

3 He bids the Clouds ascend on high;
The Clouds ascend, and bear
A wat'ry Treasure to the Sky,
And float on softer Air.

4 The liquid Element below
Was gather'd by his Hand;
The rolling Seas together flow,
And leave the solid Land.

5 With Herbs and Plants (a flow'ry Birth)
The naked globe he crown'd,
E'er there was Rain to bless the Earth,
Or sun to warm the Ground.

6 Then he adorn'd the upper Skies;
Behold the Sun appears;
The Moon and Stars in Order rise,
To make out Months and Years.

7 Out of the deep th' Almighty King.
Did vital Beings frame,
The painted Fowls of ev'ry Wing,
And fish of ev'ry Name.]

8 He gave the Lion and the Worm
At once their wond'rous Birth,
And grazing Beasts, of various Form
Rose from the teeming Earth.

9 Adam was form'd of equal Clay,
Though Sov'reign of the rest
Design'd for nobler Ends than they,
With God's own Image bless'd.

10 Thus glorious in the Maker's Eye
The young Creation stood;
He saw the Building from on high,
His Word pronounc'd it good.

11 Lord, while the Frame of Nature stands,
Thy raise shall fill my Tongue;
But the new World of Grace demands
A more exalted Song.

Text Information
First Line: Now let a spacious World arise
Language: English
Publication Date: 1769
Topic: Creation
Tune Information
(No tune information)



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