Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship ‎#189

189. Ere God Had Built the Mountains

1. Ere God had built the mountains,
Or raised the fruitful hills,
Before He filled the fountains
That feed the running rills,
In me, from everlasting,
The wonderful I Am,
Found pleasures never wasting,
And Wisdom is my name.

2. When, like a tent to dwell in,
He spread the skies abroad,
And swathed about the swelling
Of Ocean’s mighty flood,
He wro't by weight and measure,
And I was with him then,
Myself the Father’s pleasure,
And mine, the heirs of men.

3. Thus Wisdom’s words discover
Your glory and your grace,
The everlasting Lover
Of our unworthy race!
Your gracious eye surveyed us
Ere stars were seen above;
In wisdom you have made us,
And died for us in love.

4. And could you be delighted
With creatures such as we?
Who, when we saw you, slighted,
And nailed you to a tree?
Unfathomable wonder,
Transcendent yet obscure;
The voice that speaks in thunder,
Says, Sinner, I am yours!

Text Information

• First Line: Ere God had built the mountains
• Title: Ere God Had Built the Mountains
• Author: William Cowper (1779)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2024
• Scripture:
  Proverbs 8:23
• Topic: Trinity Sunday
• Notes: Text by British poet William Cowper, from Olney Hymns (1779), alt.

Tune Information

• Name: REJOICE, BELIEVERS
• Composer: Rachel Wilhelm (2020)
• Arranger: Chris Fenner (2024)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6 D
• Incipit: 11564 3432
• Key: e minor or modal
• Copyright: ©2020 Rachel Wilhelm
• Notes: Tune REJOICE, BELIEVERS by Anglican composer Rachel Wilhelm, from her album Advent (2020), arr. CF.