Creation Celebration

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