Genesis 1: Let heaven arise, let earth appear

Verse 1

Let heav’n arise, let earth appear, said the Almighty Lord: the heav’n arose, the earth appear'd, at his creating word.

Verse 2

Thick darkness brooded o’er the deep: God said, ‘Let there be light:’ the light shone forth with smiling ray, and scatter'd ancient night.

Verse 3

He bade the clouds ascend on high; the clouds ascend, and bear a wat’ry treasure to the sky, and float upon the air.

Verse 4

The liquid element below was gather'd by his hand; the rolling seas together flow, and leave the solid land.

Verse 5

With herbs, and plants, and fruitful trees, the new-form'd globe he crown'd, ere there was rain to bless the soil, or sun to warm the ground.

Verse 6

Then high in heav’n’s resplendent arch he plac'd two orbs of light, he set the sun to rule the day, the moon to rule the night.

Verse 7

Next, from the deep, th’ Almighty King did vital beings frame; fowls of the air of ev'ry wing, and fish of ev'ry name.

Verse 8

To all the various brutal tribes he gave their wondrous birth; at once the lion and the worm sprung from the teeming earth.

Verse 9

Then, chief o’er all his works below, at last was Adam made; his maker’s image bless'd his soul, and glory crown'd his head.

Verse 10

Fair in the Almighty Maker’s eye the whole creation stood; he view'd the fabric he had rais'd; his word pronounc'd it good.