HYMN 170. (L. M.) God Incomprehensible and Sovereign.
I
Can creatures to perfection find
Th'eternal uncreated mind?
Or can the largest stretch of thought
Measure and search his nature out?
II
'Tis high as heaven, 'tis deep as hell,
And what can mortals know or tell?
His glory spreads beyond the sky,
And all the shining worlds on high.
III
But man, vain man, would fain be wise,
Born like a wild young colt he flies
Thro' all the follies of his mind,
And swells, and snuffs the empty wind.
IV
God is a king of power unknown,
Firm are the orders of his throne;
If he resolve, who dares oppose,
Or ask him why, or what he does?
V
He wounds the heart, and he makes whole;
He calms the tempest of the soul;
When he shuts up in long despair
Who can remove the heavy bar?
VI
He frowns, and darkness veils the moon,
The fainting sun grows dim at noon;
The pillars of heaven's starry roof
Tremble and start at his reproof.
VII
He gave the vaulted heaven its form,
The crooked serpent, and the worm;
He breaks the billows with his breath,
And smites the sons of pride to death.
VIII
These are a portion of his ways,
But who shall dare describe his face?
Who can endure his light? or stand
To hear the thunders of his hand?
