Psalm VIII

Verse 1

O Lord, how glorious is thy name, Through the wide earth's extended frame1 Majestick glories form they seat, And heaven adores beneath thy feet.

Verse 2

When all thy shining works on high We meditate with raptur'd eye; The silver moon, the starry train, Which gild the fair etherial plain:

Verse 3

Lord, what is man, that he should share Thy notice, thy indulgent care? That man, frail child of earth, should be The favourite of the Deity?

Verse 4

His place, thy forming hand assign'd, But just below th' angelick kind; With noblest favours circled round, And with distinguish'd honours crown'd,

Verse 5

Invested him with power and sway, And bid the subject brutes obey; Sovereign of all thy works below, To him the meaner creatures bow;

Verse 6

The blessing flocks, the lowing herds, The gliding fish, the flying birds; All that the earth's wide circuit yields, Natives of air, or seas, or fields.

Verse 7

But still let man, adoring, own That Thou, O Lord, art King alone; And through the earth's extended frame Declare the glories of thy name.