1 The Spirit moved upon the waves
That darkly rolled, a shoreless sea;
He spake the word, and light broke forth,
A glorious, bright immensity.

2 At His command, the mountains heaved
Their rocky pinnacles on high,
Island and continent displayed
Their desert grandeur to the sky.

3 The voice of God was heard again,
And lovely flowers and graceful trees
Appeared on every vale and plain,
And perfumes floated on the breeze.

4 The word went forth, and vast and high
The heavenly orbs gave out their light,
O’er all the earth and sea and sky,
The rulers of the day and night.

5 "Glory to God!" the angels sang,
With harps of gold, and tongues of flame:
And all the heavenly arches rang
Re-echoing with the awful theme.