You tribes of Adam, join With heaven, and earth, and seas, And offer notes divine To your Creator's praise: You holy throng Of angels bright, In worlds of light, Begin the song. Though sun with dazzling rays, And moon that rules the night, Shine to your Maker's praise, With stars of twinkling light: His power declare, You floods on high, And clouds that fly In empty air. The shining worlds above In glorious order stand, Or in swift courses move, By His supreme command: He spoke the word, And all their frame From nothing came, To praise the Lord. He moved their mighty wheels In unknown ages past, And each His word fulfils While time and nature last: In different ways His works proclaim His wondrous name, And speak His praise. Let all the earth-born race, And monsters of the deep The fish that cleave the seas, Or in their bosom sleep; From sea and shore Their tribute pay, And still display Their Maker's power. You vapors, hail, and snow, Praise you the almighty Lord, And stormy winds that blow, To execute His word: When lightnings shine, Or thunders roar, Let earth adore His hand divine. You mountains near the skies, With lofty cedars there, And trees of humbler size, That fruit in plenty bear; Beasts wild and tame, Birds, flies, and worms, In various forms, Exalt His name. You kings and judges, fear The Lord, the sovereign King; And while you rule us here, His heavenly honors sing; Nor let the dream Of power and state Make you forget His power supreme. Virgins and youths, engage To sound His praise divine, While infancy and age Their feebler voices join: Wide as He reigns His name be sung By every tongue In endless strains. Let all the nations fear The God that rules above; He brings His people near, And makes them taste His love: While earth and sky Attempt His praise, His saints will raise His honors high.
