God, Who Touches Earth With Beauty

Hymn Information

First Line: God, who touches earth with beauty
Author (attributed to): Mary Suzanne Edgar, 1889-1973 (1925)
Tune Name: LUDINGTON
Composer: Gregg DeMey
Topic: Holy Spirit · Occasional Services: Dedication of Holy Living

Copyright Information

Text Copyright

Tune Copyright

Reprint/Projection Information

Words: Please contact the copyright holder for permission.
Music: Permitted with a license from CCLI.com or from OneLicense.net. If you do not own one of these licenses, please contact the copyright holder for permission.

Scripture References

Psalm 33:6-22
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Psalm 51:10-12
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Psalm 104:24-35
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Matthew 6:28-29
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Philippians 4:11-13

Confessions and Statements of Faith References

Canons of Dort V, 12 and V, 13

Further Reflections on Confessions and Statements of Faith References

The Canons of Dort V, 13 explain that our assurance of eternal security and perseverance cannot “produce immorality or lack of concern for godliness in those put back on their feet after a fall, but it produces a much greater concern to observe carefully the way which the Lord prepared in advance” and it is “an incentive to a serious and continuous practice of thanksgiving and good works...” (Canons of Dort V, 12) Therefore, this sub-section contains songs which express both the desire and the commitment of the believer to walk in obedience for holy living. Woven throughout these songs are expressions of fervent desire for holy living, a dedication to follow God’s will, a surrender of one’s will, and prayers for the Holy Spirit to continue his sanctifying work.

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God, Who Touches Earth With Beauty

Additional Prayers

A Prayer for a Purer Heart

O God, rock of ages, make us strong and sure. God of streaming waters, make us clean and pure. God of towering trees and shimmering plains and rolling waves, you who touch our earth with beauty, touch our hearts and make them straight and true, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

— Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.

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God, Who Touches Earth With Beauty

Tune Information

Name: LUDINGTON
Key: F Major
Meter: 8.5.8.5 with repeat

Recordings

2014 Symposium on Worship - Grand Rapids, MI

736

God, Who Touches Earth With Beauty

Hymn Story/Background

While in the process of wrestling with a pastoral call to move from beautiful Ludington, Michigan to Western Suburbs of Chicago, I was very moved by the imagery in this text. The text by Canadian poet Mary Edgar encourages open-eyed gratitude for the creative work of a loving God on the one hand, while also kindling spiritual aspiration for growing, changing, reforming in our lifelong journey as disciples.

— Gregg DeMey

Author Information

Mary Susannah Edgar (1889-1973) was a Canadian author and camp director. Born in Sundridge, Ontario, she was educated at Barrie High School and Havergal College in Toronto. She wrote several books, one-act plays, and hymns. In 1992, Edgar opened a girls camp on Lake Bernard near Sundridge, where she remained the director until her retirement in 1956.

— Laura de Jong

Author and Composer Information

Gregg DeMey (b. 1972) was born in Grand Rapids, MI, studied at Calvin College (BA Music Theory and Composition), and graduated from Calvin Theological Seminary in 1998 (MTS) and 2006 (M.Div). He served as worship pastor at Granite Springs in Sacramento, CA; as a church planter at Lakeside Church in Ludington, MI; and is currently the Teaching Pastor at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church in Elmhurst, IL.

— Gregg DeMey