The Lutheran Hymnary ‎#8

8. The heavens declare Thy glory

1 The heavens declare Thy glory,
The firmament Thy power;
Day unto day the story
Repeats from hour to hour;
Night unto night replying,
Proclaims in every land,
O Lord, with voice undying,
The wonders of Thy hand.

2 The sun with royal splendor
Goes forth to chant Thy praise;
And moonbeams soft and tender
Their gentler anthem raise;
O’er every tribe and nation
That music strange is poured;
The song of all creation,
To Thee, creation’s Lord.

3 How perfect, just, and holy
The precepts Thou hast given;
Still making wise the lowly,
They lift the thoughts to heaven;
How pure, how soul-restoring
Thy gospel’s heavenly ray,
A brighter radiance pouring
Than noon of brightest day!

4 Thy statutes, Lord, with gladness
Rejoice the humble heart;
And guilty fear and sadness
From contrite souls depart:
Thy word hath richer treasure
Than dwells within the mine,
And sweetness beyond measure
Attends Thy voice divine.

5 O who can make confession
Of every secret sin;
Or keep from all transgression
His spirit pure within?
But let me never boldly
From Thy commands depart,
Or render to Thee coldly
The service of my heart.

6 All heaven on high rejoices
To do its Maker’s will;
The stars with solemn voices
Resound Thy praises still;
So let my whole behavior,
Thoughts, words, and actions be,
O Lord, my Strength, my Savior,
One ceaseless song to Thee.

Text Information

• First Line: The heavens declare Thy glory
• Author: T. R. Birks, 1874
• Meter: 7, 6. 6L.
• Publication Date: 1913
• Topic: Worship in General; Worship in General: Prayer and Praise; Creation; Praise and Prayer

Tune Information

• Name: [The heavens declare Thy glory]
• Composer: M. Teschner (1613)
• Meter: 7, 6. 6L.
• Key: C Major