1 Great art Thou, God! The hosts of heaven wonder,
Thy majesty and greatness deeply ponder:
Thou art our God in heaven's high estate;
Lo, thunder-peals and waters rushing, swelling,
The somber nights and beating sun are telling
That Thou art great.
2 Good art Thou, God! Yon starry hosts of heaven,
And we who are in dust Thy likeness given,
And creatures, too, of every kind and blood,
Spring, summer, harvest, plants profusely growing,
Yea, wintry frost and icy storms are showing
That Thou art good.
3 When Thou to judgment art the nations calling,
When earth is shaking, mighty cities falling,
We see Thy pow'r, O God, and fear the end.
Thou makest peace and all the world rejoices
That Thou whose praise is sung by angel voices
Shouldst be our Friend.
4 Why should our throbbing love with fear be blended
When everywhere we see Thy works intended
To serve Thy child and lift it unto Thee?
Though fire and water all the earth surrounded,
Yet shall our faith in Thee be firmly founded:
Thy hand we see.
5 Though death may threaten and the grave may frighten,
Thy goodness doth our path secure and brighten,
And gladly we press onward to the end.
In confidence we see our death draw nearer,
Thy love in Christ to us grows ever dearer,
Our God and Friend.