VAST are Thy works, Almighty Lord, All nature rests upon Thy word, And every race of creature stands Waiting their portion from Thy hands.
But when Thy face is turned, they mourn, And dying to the dust return; Both man and beast their souls resign; Life, breath, and spirit, all are Thine.
Yet Thou canst breathe on dust again, And fill the world with beasts and men, A word of Thy creating breath, Repairs the waste of time and death.
At Thy mere touch the mountains smoke, And earth stands trembling at Thy stroke! Yet humble hearts may seek Thy face, And trust their needs to sovereign grace.
In Thee our hopes and wishes meet, O make our meditations sweet, Praises shall all our hearts employ Till they translate to endless joy.
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748