The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Psalm 19:1
Words: Daniel A. Payne (1811–1893).
Music: Oakville J. Albert Johnson, in The African Methodist Episcopal Hymn and Tune Book, first edition (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: African Methodist Episcopal Book Concern, 1898), number 55 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Father above the concave sky,
Enthroned in light profound,
At Thy command, the lightnings fly,
And thunders roar around.
O who can see the beaming sun,
The smiling moon at night,
The snowy clouds, the countless stars,
Enrobed with dazzling light,
And yet refuse to sing Thy praise,
In sweetest notes of love?
Or echo to angelic lays,
Which fill the worlds above?
Whene’er I tread the blooming plains
And pluck the fragrant flower,
The luscious fruits, the yellow grains,
I see Thy matchless power.
What moves on earth, or wings the air,
Or swims the swelling sea,
Is but a ray of life to point
Immortal man to Thee.