Fits tune: Thaxted (Holst)
(\'I vow to thee my country\')
Based on Psalm 104 v.1 - 16
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Bless the Lord now, O my soul, praise Him now with your all
O Lord my God, you very great, clothed with honour, your state
And majesty most glorious, not revealed full to us
You cover yourself with light, to human sight too bright
That light as a garment pure, eternal evermore
And heavens like curtains you stretch, vaster than sail of ketch*
(* ketch - a sailing vessel)
You lay the beams, your chambers, in the deep dark waters
Make the clouds your chariot, you walk on wind\'s wings lot
You make your angels spirits, ministers it befits
They they be as flames of fire, as servants, not mere hire
Foundations of the earth you laid, all creatures you have made
The earth founded, not removed for ever, so \'tis proved
You cover the earth with the deep, and water\'s bounds you keep
That they may not pass o\'er, see, the limits you decree
At flood the waters they did stand, above mountains, each land
Yet then at your rebuke they fled, for you spoke, you had said
Through thunder, they must haste away, ne\'er return any day
To flood the earth as Noah\'s day, rainbow cov\'nant [given us] alway
Now those waters peacefully, go at your pace, your way
By mountains, valleys, each place, for folk of every race
You springs into the valley send, among hills they run, bend
They give drink to every beast, from greatest unto least
E\'en wild asses quench their thirst, water supplies outburst
And birds of heaven habitate, \'midst branches small and great
From His chambers He waters the hills, refreshments pure
The earth it is satisfied, in you it does confide
For you have shown your works\' fruit, \'twill content us, will suit
Will meet our needs, providing, your graces us you bring
Providing food for beast and man, perfectly as you can
Your trees full, so full of sap, Lebanon\'s cedars map