God Incomprehensible and Sovereign

Verse 1

Can creatures to perfection find Th' eternal, uncreated Mind? Or can the largest stretch of thought Measure and search his nature out?

Verse 2

'Tis high as heav'n, 'tis deep as hell And what can mortals know or tell? His glory spreads beyond the sky, And all the shining worlds on high.

Verse 3

But man, vain man, would fain be wise; Born like a wild young colt, he flies Through all the follies of his mind, And swells, and snuffs the empty wind.

Verse 4

God is a King of power unknown, Firm are the orders of his throne; If he resolve, who dares oppose, Or ask him why or what he does?

Verse 5

He wounds the heart, and he makes whole He calms the tempest of the soul; When he shuts up in long despair, Who can remove the heavy bar?

Verse 6

He frowns, and darkness veils the moon; The fainting sun grows dim at noon; The pillars of heav'n's starry roof Tremble and start at his reproof.

Verse 7

He gave the vaulted heav'n its form, The crooked serpent, and the worm; He breaks the billows with his breath, And smites the sons of pride to death.

Verse 8

These are a portion of his ways; But who shall dare describe his face? Who can endure his light, or stand To hear the thunders of his hand?