Genesis 1: Let heav'n arise, let earth appear

Representative Text

1 Let heav’n arise, let earth appear,
said the Almighty Lord:
the heav’n arose, the earth appear'd,
at his creating word.
2 Thick darkness brooded o’er the deep:
God said, ‘Let there be light:’
the light shone forth with smiling ray,
and scatter'd ancient night.

3 He bade the clouds ascend on high;
the clouds ascend, and bear
a wat’ry treasure to the sky,
and float upon the 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, and fruitful trees,
the new-form'd globe he crown'd,
ere there was rain to bless the soil,
or sun to warm the ground.
6 Then high in heav’n’s resplendent arch
he plac'd two orbs of light,
he set the sun to rule the day,
the moon to rule the night.

7 Next, from the deep, th’ Almighty King
did vital beings frame;
fowls of the air of ev'ry wing,
and fish of ev'ry name.
8 To all the various brutal tribes
he gave their wondrous birth;
at once the lion and the worm
sprung from the teeming earth.

9 Then, chief o’er all his works below,
at last was Adam made;
his maker’s image bless'd his soul,
and glory crown'd his head.
10 Fair in the Almighty Maker’s eye
the whole creation stood;
he view'd the fabric he had rais'd;
his word pronounc'd it good.

Source: The Irish Presbyterian Hymbook #R1

Author: Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Let heaven arise, let earth appear
Title: Genesis 1: Let heav'n arise, let earth appear
Author: Isaac Watts (1709)
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

From the hymn by Isaac Watts, "Now let a spacious world arise," in Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 2nd ed. (1709); revised as "Let heav'n arise, let earth appear" in the Scottish Translations and Paraphrases (1781).

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 1 of 1)
TextPage Scan

The Irish Presbyterian Hymbook #R1

Include 18 pre-1979 instances
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us