Hymnal: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs
Date: 1843
Compiler: A Campbell/ W Scott/ B W Stone/ J T Johnson
Publisher/Printer: A Campbell
First Line: But still the vast unfathom'd main
Topic: Nature
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer:
Meter: LM
Tune: Darwent
Hymn Number: Song 6 (part I)
Page Number: 081 (part I), click to see hymnal pages
LyicsBUT still the vast unfathom'd main,
Of wonders a new scene supplies,
Whose depths inhabitants contain
Of ev'ry form, of ev'ry size.
Full freighted ships, from every port,
There cut their unmolested way;
Leviathan, whom there to sport,
Thou mad'st, has compass there to play.
These various troops of sea and land
In sense of common want agree;
All wait on thy dispensing hand,
And have their daily alms from thee.
They gather what thy stores disperse,
Without their trouble to provide;
Thou op'st thy hand-the universe,
The craving world, are all supplied.
Thou for a moment hid'st thy face-
The num'rous ranks of creatures mourn;
Thou tak'st their breath-all Nature's race
Forthwith to Mother Earth return.
Again: thou send'st thy Spirit forth
T' inspire the mass with vital seed-
Nature's restor'd, and parent Earth
Smiles on her new-created breed.
Thus through successive ages stands,
Firm fix'd, thy providential care;
Pleas'd with the work of thy own hands,
Thou dost the waste of time repair.
One look of thine, one wrathful look,
Earth's panting breast with terror fills;
One touch from thee, with clouds of smoke
In darkness shrouds the proudest hills.
In praising God, while he prolongs
My breath, I will that breath employ;
And join devotion to my songs,
Sincere as in him is my joy.
While sinners from earth's face are hurl'd,
My soul, praise thou his holy name,
Till with my song the list'ning world
Join concert, and his praise proclaim.