creatures loyally and dutifully praise God.

HYMN: The Spacious Firmament on High

cf: http://cyberhymnal.org/bio/a/d/addison_j.htm

PRAYER:

My Creator God

May  my life give you praise. 

AMEN.

The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame
Their great Original proclaim.
Th’unwearied sun, from day to day,
Does his Creator’s powers display,
And publishes to every land

The work of an Almighty Hand.

Soon as the evening shades prevail
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly to the listening earth
Repeats the story of her birth;
While 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.

 

What though in solemn silence all
Move round the dark terrestrial ball?
What though no real voice nor sound
Amid the 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.”

Based on Psalm 19

¹The heavens are telling the glory of God; 

and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

²Day to day pours forth speech, 

and night to night declares knowledge.

³There is no speech, nor are there words; 

their voice is not heard;

⁴yet their voice goes out through all the earth, 

and their words to the end of the world. 

In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,

⁵which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, 

and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

⁶Its rising is from the end of the heavens, 

and its circuit to the end of them; 

and nothing is hid from its heat.

⁷The law of the Lord is perfect, 

reviving the soul; 

the decrees of the Lord are sure,

making wise the simple;

⁸the precepts of the Lord are right, 

rejoicing the heart; 

the commandment of the Lord is clear, 

enlightening the eyes;

⁹the fear of the Lord is pure, 

enduring forever; 

the ordinances of the Lord are true 

and righteous altogether.

¹⁰More to be desired are they than gold, 

even much fine gold; 

sweeter also than honey, 

and drippings of the honeycomb.

¹¹Moreover by them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

¹²But who can detect their errors? 

Clear me from hidden faults.

¹³Keep back your servant also from the insolent; 

do not let them have dominion over me. 

Then I shall be blameless, 

and innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.