Words: Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676)
Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD! (Psalms 105:2-3 NKJV)
An alternative version
Go out, my heart, and seek delight
rejoice in God’s gifts daily.
See all of nature’s bright display;
it clothes itself in fine array
for you and me so gaily
for you and me so gaily.
The trees with foliage green are blest,
the earth her dusty face has dressed
in herbage young and tender.
The desert rose and wattle fair
are clothed in raiment far more rare
The wedge-tailed eagle in the sky
surveys the world with questing eye,
in lofty circles winging.
The roaring lark with trilling song
sets mountain gorge and billabong
and all the bushland ringing
and all the bushland ringing.
The strutting emu tends his chicks,
From rock-o’ershaded, rippling pool
the waters trickle, soft and cool,
among the ferns and creepers.
While dragon-flies dart here and there,
cicadas’ droning fills the air
and stirs all insect-sleepers
and stirs all insect-sleepers.
The swarming, busy, tireless bees
in zig-zag flight on summer breeze
seek honey-dew so tender,
as scented shrubs and sugared flowers
lift up their petalled heads for hours
their sweetness to surrender
their sweetness to surrender.
The desert quandong, orange, plum,
the passion-fruit to ripeness come;
they urge our glad thanksgiving
to him who all these gifts bestows,
and from whom such abandance flows
to gratify our living
to gratify our living.
I cannot, mighty God, be still,
for all your mighty actions fill
my being with elation.
I too must sing when all things sing,
let praises to the Highest ring
which voice my adoration
which voice my adoration.
What a delightful and fantastic hymn. Paul Gerhardt has several more that will be posted later. The last verse is how I also feel about God’s mighty creation and His Love for the critters and especially us.
I cannot, mighty God, be still,
for all your mighty actions fill
my being with elation.
I too must sing when all things sing,
let praises to the Highest ring
which voice my adoration
Photos – Wedge-tailed Eagle ©Wikipedia, Oriental Skylark by Nikhil, Strutting Emu by Ian, Great Bowerbird by Ian
Pied Butcherbird singing and preening
more about “A bird preening and singing softly | …“, posted with vodpod
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