Metrical 'New Version' (Tate & Brady)
English text
1 The heavens declare thy glory, Lord,
which that alone can fill;
The firmament and stars express
their great Creator's skill.
2 The dawn of each returning day,
fresh beams of knowledge brings:
From the dark returns of night
new instruction springs.
3 Their powerful language to no realm
or region is confined,
'Tis nature's voice, and understood
alike by all mankind.
4 Their doctrine does its sacred sense
through earth's extent display;
Whose bright contents the circling sun
does round the world convey.
5 No bridegroom for his nuptials dressed,
has such a cheerful face;
No giant does like him rejoice,
to run his glorious race.
6 From east to west, from west to east,
his restless course he goes;
And through his progress cheerful light,
and vital warmth bestows.
PART II.
7 God's perfect law converts the soul,
reclaims from false desires,
With sacred wisdom his sure word
the ignorant inspires.
8 The statutes of the Lord are just,
and bring sincere delight;
His pure commands in search of truth,
assist the feeblest light.
9 His perfect worship here is fixed,
on sure foundations laid:
His equal laws are in the scales
of truth and justice weighed.
10 Of more esteem than golden mines,
or gold refined with skill:
More sweet than honey, or the drops
that from the comb distill.
11 My trusty counselors they are,
and friendly warnings give;
Divine rewards attend on those,
who by thy precepts live.
12 But what frail man observes, how oft,
he does from virtue fail?
cleanse me from my secret faults,
thou God that knowest them ail:
13 Let no presumptuous sin, O Lord,
dominion have over me,
That by thy grace, preserved, I may
the great transgression flee.
14 So shall my prayer and praises be
with thy acceptance blest;
And I secure, on thy defense,
my strength and Savior rest.
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Metrical Paraphrase by Isaac Watts, 1719
English text
Great God, the heav'ns' well-ordered frame
Declares the glories of thy name:
There thy rich works of wonder shine;
A thousand starry beauties there,
A thousand radiant marks appear
Of boundless power and skill divine.
From night to day, from day to night,
The dawning and the dying light
Lectures of heav'nly wisdom read;
With silent eloquence they raise
Our thoughts to our Creator's praise,
And neither sound nor language need.
Yet their divine instructions run
Far as the journeys of the sun,
And every nation knows their voice:
The sun, like some young bridegroom dressed,
Breaks from the chambers of the east,
Rolls round, and makes the earth rejoice.
Where'er he spreads his beams abroad,
He smiles and speaks his Maker God
All nature joins to show thy praise:
Thus God in ev'ry creature shines;
Fair is the book of nature's lines,
But fairer is thy book of grace.
I love the volumes of thy word;
What light and joy those leaves afford
To souls benighted and distressed!
Thy precepts guide my doubtful way,
Thy fear forbids my feet to stray,
Thy promise leads my heart to rest.
From the discoveries of thy law
The perfect rules of life I draw;
These are my study and delight:
Not honey so invites the taste,
Nor gold that hath the furnace past
Appears so pleasing to the sight.
Thy threat'nings wake my slumb'ring eyes,
And warn me where my danger lies;
But 'tis thy blessed gospel, Lord,
That makes my guilty conscience clean,
Converts my soul, subdues my sin,
And gives a free, but large reward.
Who knows the errors of his thoughts?
My God, forgive my secret faults,
And from presumptuous sins restrain:
Accept my poor attempts of praise,
That I have read thy book of grace,
And book of nature, not in vain.
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