This Is My Father's World
Why did God create other planets? Why did He make nature so incredibly beautiful? One reason is seeing those things counters anxiety with awe and trust in the Creator's power and care.
1 This is my Father's world,
And to my list'ning ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world,
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas -
His hand the wonders wrought.[1]
[1] we can find tremendous peace by contemplating the beauty of creation and the deliberateness with which God made things.
2 This is my Father's world,
The birds their carols raise;
The morning light, the lily white
Declare their Maker's praise.[2]
This is my Father's world,
He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.[3]
[2] God reveals Himself through beauty; in this case, natural revelation.
[3] refers to the Garden of Eden, and, how echoes of intimacy with God still exist when we look at creation and actively make an effort to be aware of His divine presence
3 This is my Father's world,
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.[3]
This is my Father's world,
The battle is not done;
Jesus, Who died, shall be satisfied,
And earth and heav'n be one.[3]
[3] what hope does that give us: God is sovereign.
[4] we look forward to the day when this physical world is fully liberated and renewed. Until then, we can have confident joy in God’s fatherly care and control, because He is reigning.
Author: Maltbie D. Babcock
Composer: Franklin L. Sheppard
Meter: 6.6.8.6 D
Tune name: TERRA BEATA