Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#437

437. Thank You God, for Water, Soil, and Air

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Text Information

• First Line: Thank you God, for water, soil, and air
• Title: Thank You God, for Water, Soil, and Air
• Author: Brian Wren (1954)
• Meter: 9 10 10 9
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Topic: Will of God; Creation and Providence; Creation; Harvest; Justice; Stewardship; Thanksgiving & Gratitude
• Copyright: Text © 1975, Hope Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Used by permission

Tune Information

• Name: PENET
• Composer: William P. Rowan (1985)
• Meter: 9 10 10 9
• Key: A♭ Major
• Copyright: © William P. Rowan

Text Information:

Scripture References:
all st. = Ps. 104:30

Since its inclusion in the British supplementary hymnal New Church Praise in 1975, this hymn has been widely regarded as one of the best "ecology hymns." Brian Wren (PHH 311) wrote the text in September 1973 in Colchester, England.

The stanzas have basically the same pattern. Each one begins with gratitude to God for some aspect of the physical creation: water, soil, and air (st. 1); minerals and ores (st. 2); petroleum and atomic energy (st. 3); the delicate ecological networks that bind all creation together. The first four stanzas conclude with a prayer for forgiveness for our sinful abuse of these resources and a petition that God will "help us renew the face of the earth." The final stanza (st. 5), with apocalyptic faith, concludes the text with the prayer that God himself will come to "renew the face of the earth" (a reference to Ps. 104:30). This text combines thankfulness with overt admission of our responsibility for ecological stewardship–so necessary in modern times (see 455 for this theme as well).

Liturgical Use:
Harvest thanksgiving; springtime prayer services for crops/industry; other occasions of worship that focus on our stewardship of earth's resources (such as occasions of nuclear accidents or oil spills).

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

William P. Rowan (PHH 362) composed PENET in 1985 for this text; they are published together for the first time in the 1987 Psalter Hymnal. PENET, named for friends of Rowan, is distinguished by rhythmic contrasts between the steady, fairly slow beginning and the faster conclusion of each phrase. It would be best for the congregation to sing this hymn in unison. Try having men alternate with women on different stanzas, or the congregation in unison alternate with the choir in harmony. Because our gratitude for God's good earth is tempered here by our confession of sin, this tune needs modest treatment from the organ. Maintain a moderate tempo.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook