Sun, moon and stars, by day and night

Sun, moon and stars, by day and night,
At God's commandment, give us light,
And when we wake, and while we sleep,
Their watch, like guardian angels, keep.

The bright blue sky above our head,
The soft green earth on which we tread,
The ocean rolling round the land,
Were made by God's almighty hand.

Sweet flowers that hill and dale adorn,
Fair fruit-trees, fields of grass and corn,
The clouds that rise, the showers that fall,
The winds that blow--God sends them all.

The beasts that graze with downward eye,
The birds that perch, and sing, and fly,
The fishes swimming in the sea,
God's creatures are as well as we.

But us He form'd for better things;--
As servants of the King of kings,
With lifted hands, and open face,
And thankful hearts, to seek his grace.

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Thus God loved man, and more than thus,--
He sent his Son to die for us,
And now invites us, when we die,
To come and live with Him on high.

But we must live to Him below,
For none but such to heaven will go;--
Lord Jesus, hear our humble prayer,
And lead the little children there.

Sacred Poems and Hymns