For The Beauty of The Earth
by Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1864
For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies;
For the love which from our birth,
Over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.
For the glory of the skies;
For the love which from our birth,
Over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.
***
For the Beauty of the Earth is a hymn which resonates throughout my life, since childhood in fact. I always thought of this, the first verse, as the most beautiful.
But I also reasoned that this was a large and grand hymn offering to God something in return for all He had given us. A child-like observation, yes, but one that I think continues to be true, at least for me.
Another caregiver trip to Washington state brought us along Interstate 84E on Saturday afternoon. I am continually amazed when we drive through the Columbia River Gorge at the immensity of God's world and the artistry with which He created and brought our world into being.
The height of the walls and the layers of earth upon rock
upon silt and so on, on each side of the Gorge
upon silt and so on, on each side of the Gorge
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View of the Gorge from Crown Point during
a luscious spring show -- the blue sky and greens below
a luscious spring show -- the blue sky and greens below
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and rain as we near Portland -- the usual
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And continuing to give God my gratitude for the goodness of His gifts to me and mine:
496. The beauty of the world around me as told in the verses to this hymn.
497. The opportunity to live in an area so full of God's artistry.
498. Gifts of watching friends help our brother who see him just as he always been despite the ravages of his disease.
499. A committed sister-in-law who is taking extraordinary care of our brother.
500. An unexpected visit with family from Boston over the weekend.
501. Concerned children who think their parents are doing too much.
502. The departure of a bug or virus that hit 24-36 hours ago and appears to be long gone.
Linking up with the community at A Holy Experience
and with Laura at
and with L.L. Barkat at
What a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your pictures. I live in Texas and we don't get to see sights like these. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteCrissy, thanks for stopping by! Glad you enjoyed the post and the pictures -- I've spent time in Texas and our states are very different. Isn't it wonderful how uniquely God makes us and our places in His world? Hope you'll come back.
DeleteHow wonderful to see such beauty on your care-giver trip!
ReplyDeleteCherry, the beauty we drive through makes the trip home so much easier. Thanks for stopping in.
DeleteBeautiful post. Love the hymn. :)
ReplyDeleteLyli, I'm glad you enjoyed the post and that we have a shared love for this hymn.
DeleteHi Sherry,
ReplyDeleteI love this song! My daughter sings this along with an older gentleman from our church, it is truly a stunning song.
God's creation is beautiful and I always stand is awe at the majestic works of His might hands.
Blessings,
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So glad you have a connection with this hymn -- having your daughter sing it for you must be a thrill! His hands are might, aren't they, and create amazing things for our eyes and ears.
DeleteI know that hymn - now it is playing in my head. Glad the bug left, and hope the care-giving is full of blessings to balance out the tiresomeness that can come from pouring out yourself for the benefit of others. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you came by and left such sweet and encouraging words on my blog. The care-giving isn't easy but to know we're doing God's ministry through our hearts and hands does bring blessings. Thanks for helping me to see that through your words.
DeleteSherrey, I've always loved that hymn. And here, your words and photos SHOW, not just tell the glory of God. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteDebra, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I too have always loved this hymn, but this last trip through the Gorge, I SAW this hymn. :)
DeleteI like to consider myself and "old soul" as I love hymns. I'm still puzzled how I do not know this one right off the top of my head--I love that verse! I'll be looking up the rest of that hymn and playing it on the piano tonight. I've already decided. Thank you, friend!
ReplyDeleteJust found it in my hymnal. It's all coming back to me now -- thank you for bringing it a fresh face for me!!
DeleteNikki, I loved your comments on this post! "Old soul" is me when it comes to hymns. My husband and I grew up on them in church youth choirs back in the day and still love them. I have a hard time imagining you as an "old soul" except in relation to your love of old hymns. :) Glad I could bring it back to you. Nice to know that you play piano; so do I. It seems despite our age difference, we have many things in common.
DeleteSee you around, dear one!