Praise from all Nature. Ps. 148.
1 Begin, my soul, th' exalted lay;
Let each enraptured thought obey,
And praise th' Almighty's name.
Lo, heaven and earth and seas and skies
In one melodious concert rise
To swell th' inspiring theme.
2 Thou heaven of heavens, his vast abode--
Ye clouds, proclaim your Maker, God;
Ye thunders, speak his power.
Lo, on the lightning's rapid wings
In triumph rides the King of Kings:
Th' astonished worlds adore.
3 Ye deeps with roaring billows rise
To join the thunders of the skies--
Praise him who bids you roll.
His praise in softer notes declare,
Each whispering breeze of yielding air,
And breathe it to the soul.
4 Wake, all ye soaring throngs, and sing;
Ye cheerful warblers of the spring,
Harmonious anthems raise
To him who shaped your finer mould,
Who tipped your glittering wings with gold,
And tuned your voice to praise.
5 Let man, by nobler passions swayed,
The feeling heart, the reasoning head,
In heavenly praise employ:
Spread the Creator's name around,
Till heaven's wide arch repeat the sound--
The general burst of joy.