The Creation of the World

Verse 1

"Now let a spacious world arise," Said the Creator Lord: At once th'obedient earth and skies Rose at his sov'reign word.

Verse 2

Dark was the deep; the waters lay Confus'd and drown'd the land: He call'd the light; the new-born day Attends on his command.

Verse 3

He bids the clouds ascend on high; The clouds ascend, and bear A wat'ry treasure to the sky, And float on softer 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 a flow'ry birth, The naked globe he crown'd, E're there was rain to bless the earth, Or sun to warm the ground.

Verse 6

Then he adorn'd the upper skies; Behold the sun appears; The moon and stars in order rise, To mark out months and years.

Verse 7

Out of the deep th'almighty King. Did vital beings frame, The painted fowls of ev'ry wing, And fish of ev'ry name.

Verse 8

He gave the lion and the worm At once their wond'rous birth, And grazing beasts of various form Rose from the teeming earth.

Verse 9

Adam was fram'd of equal clay, Though sov'reign of the rest, Design'd for nobler ends than they; With God's own image blest.

Verse 10

Thus glorious in the Maker's eye The young Creation stood; He saw the building from on high, His word pronounc'd it good.

Verse 11

Lord while the frame of nature stands, Thy praise shall fill my tongue: But the new world of grace demands A more exalted song.