Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional, Vol. 1 ‎#4

4. Meditating on Creation and Providence

I. Lord, when my raptur'd thought surveys
Creation's beauties o'er,
All nature joins to teach thy praise,
And bid our souls adore.

II. Where'er I turn my gazing eyes,
Thy radiant footsteps shine;
Ten thousand pleasing wonders rise,
And speak their source divine.

III. The living tribes of countless forms,
In earth and sea and air;
The meanest flies, the smallest worms,
Almighty pow'r declare.

IV. All rose to life at thy command,
And wait their daily food
From thy paternal, bounteous hand,
Exhaustless spring of good!

V. The meads, array'd in smiling green,
With wholesome herbage crown'd;
The fields with corn, a richer scene,
Spread thy full bounties round.

VI. The fruitful tree, the blooming flow'r,
In varied charms appear;
Their varied charms display thy pow'r,
Thy goodness all declare.

VII. The sun's productive quick'ning beams
The growing verdure spread;
Refreshing rains and cooling streams
His gentle influence aid.

VIII. The moon and stars his absent light
Supply with borrow'd rays,
And deck the sable veil of night,
And speak their Maker's praise.

IX. Thy wisdom, pow'r and goodness, Lord,
In all thy works appear:
And O let man thy praise record;
Man, thy distinguish'd care.

X. From thee the breath of life he drew;
That breath thy pow'r maintains;
Thy tender mercy ever new,
His brittle frame sustains.

XI. Yet nobler favours claim his praise,
Of reason's light possest;
By revelation's brighter rays
Still more divinely blest.

XII. Thy providence, his constant guard
When threat'ning woes impend,
Or will th' impending dangers ward,
Or timely succours lend.

XIII. On me that providence has shone
With gentle, smiling rays;
O let my lips and life make known
Thy goodness, and thy praise.

XIV. All bounteous Lord, thy grace impart;
O teach me to improve
Thy gifts with ever grateful heart,
And crown them with thy love.

Text Information

• First Line: Lord, when my raptur'd thought surveys
• Title: Meditating on Creation and Providence
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1760

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