Scripture Verse

He commanded, and they were created. Psalm 148:5

Introduction

Words: John Ster­ling, 1840.

Music: St. Alk­mund Ea­sy Mu­sic for Church Choirs, 1853 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Ster­ling (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

O source divine, and life of all,
The fount of being’s wondrous sea!
Thy depth would every heart appall
That saw not love supreme in Thee.

We shrink before Thy vast abyss,
Where worlds on worlds eter­nal brood:
We know Thee truly but in this—
That Thou bestowest all our good.

And so, ’mid boundless time and space,
O grant us still in Thee to dwell,
And through the ceaseless web to trace
Thy presence working all things well.

Nor let Thou life’s delightful play
Thy truth’s transcendent vision hide;
Nor strength and gladness lead as­tray
From Thee, our nature’s only guide.

Bestow on every joyous thrill
Thy deeper tones of reverent awe:
Make pure Thy children’s erring will,
And teach their hearts to love Thy law.