Hymns and Spiritual Songs, in Three Books ‎#II.CLXX

II.CLXX. God incomprehensible and sovereign

1 [Can creatures to perfection find
Th' eternal, uncreated mind?
Or can the largest stretch of thought
Measure and search his nature out?

2 'Tis high as heav'n, 'tis deep as hell;
And what can mortals know or tell?
His glory spreads beyond the sky,
And all the shining worlds on high.

3 But man, vain man, would fain be wise;
Born like a wild young colt, he flies
Thro' all the follies of his mind,
And swells, and snuffs the empty wind.]

4 God is a King, of pow'r unknown;
Firm are the orders of his throne:
If he resolves, who dare oppose,
Or ask him why or what he does?

5 He wounds the heart, and he makes whole;
He calms the tempest of the soul;
When he shuts up in long despair,
Who can remove the heavy bar?

6 He frowns, and darkness veils the moon;
The fainting sun grows dim at noon;
The pillars of heav'n's starry roof
Tremble and start at his reproof.

7 He gave the vaulted heav'n its form,
The crooked serpent and the worm;
He breaks the billows with his breath,
And smites the sons of pride to death.

8 These are a portion of his ways;
But who shall dare describe his face?
Who can endure his light, or stand
To hear the thunders of his hand?

Text Information

• First Line: Can creatures to perfection find
• Title: God incomprehensible and sovereign
• Meter: L. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1793

Tune Information

(No tune information)