Greatest of beings, source of life

1 Greatest of beings, source of life,
Sov'reign of air, and earth, and sea!
All nature feels thy pow'r; but man
A grateful tribute pays to thee.

2 Subject to wants, to thee he looks,
And from thy goodness seeks supplies;
And, when oppress'd with guilt, he mourns
Thy mercy lifts him to the skies.

3 Children, whose little minds, unform'd,
Ne'er rais'd a tender thought to heav'n;
And men, whom reason lifts to God,
Tho' oft by passion downward driv'n;

4 Those, too, who bend with age and care,
And faint and tremble near the tomb,
Who, sick'ning at the present scenes,
Sigh for that better state to come:

5 All, great Creator! all are thine;
All feel thy providential care;
And thro' each varying scene of life,
Alike thy constant pity share.

6 And, whether grief oppress the heart,
Or whether joy elate the breast,
Or life still keep its little course,
Or death invite the heart to rest:

7 All are thy messengers, and all
Thy sacred pleasure, Lord, obey;
And all are training man to dwell
Nearer to bliss; and nearer thee.


Source: A Collection of Hymns and Prayers, for Public and Private Worship #27