117. The Spacious Firmament on High

1 The spacious firmament on high,
with all the blue ethereal sky,
and spangled heav'ns, a shining frame,
their great Original proclaim.
Th'unwearied sun, from day to day
does his Creator's power display,
and publishes to ev'ry land
the work of an almighty hand.

2 Soon as the evening shades prevail,
the moon takes up the wondrous tale,
and nightly to the list'ning earth
repeats the story of her birth;
whilst all the stars that round her burn,
and all the planets in their turn,
confirm the tidings as they roll,
and spread the truth from pole to pole.

3 What though in solemn silence all
move round this dark terrestrial ball?
What though no real voice nor sound
amidst their radiant orbs be found?
In reason's ear they all rejoice,
and utter forth a glorious voice;
forever singing, as they shine,
"The hand that made us is divine."

Text Information
First Line: The spacious firmament on high
Title: The Spacious Firmament on High
Author: Joseph Addison (1712)
Meter: L.M.D.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1990
Scripture:
Topic: God's Work: Creation; God: Glory of; God: Power of
Tune Information
Name: CREATION
Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn (1798; arr.)
Meter: L.M.D.
Key: G Major
Source: The Creation, 1798; adapted from



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