Traditional Hymns
For the Beauty of the Earth
For the Beauty of the Earth
Listen to:
For the Beauty of the Earth (.midi) For the Beauty of the Earth (.mp3) For the Beauty of the Earth Bells Version (.mp3)
1. 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.
2. For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night, hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light; Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
3. For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind's delight, for the mystic harmony, linking sense to sound and sight; Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
4. For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild; Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
5. For thy church, that evermore lifteth holy hands above, offering upon every shore her pure sacrifice of love; Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
6. For thyself, best Gift Divine, to the world so freely given, for that great, great love of thine, peace on earth, and joy in heaven: Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
Devotional based on the beloved hymn "For the Beauty of the Earth" by Folliott S. Pierpoint
Scripture:"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." — James 1:17 (NIV)
Reflection:
The hymn "For the Beauty of the Earth" is a timeless reminder of the countless blessings that surround us each day, blessings that often go unnoticed in the rush of modern life. Written in 1864, the hymn lifts our eyes to the Creator who has lavished His world with beauty, order, and grace.
Each verse of the hymn calls our attention to specific gifts: the splendor of nature, the joy of human love, the wonder of the senses, and the fellowship of the Church. The refrain, “Lord of all, to Thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise,” is a fitting response, not just to the beauty of creation but to the heart of the Giver Himself.
When we walk through a forest in autumn, watch the waves crash on the shore, or see a child smile in delight, we are witnessing echoes of God’s glory. The world is not divine, but it points to a divine Creator, One who delights in beauty, in detail, and in goodness.
Yet this hymn is not just about admiration, it calls us to gratitude. Gratitude grounds us in the present and transforms the ordinary into a gift. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have been freely given.
Let this hymn remind you today to pause and praise. Go outside, look around, breathe deeply, and recognize the fingerprints of God in the world He has made. Let your life be a continual hymn of grateful praise.
Prayer:
Lord of all, thank You for the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love of family and friends, and for the gift of the Church. Help us to live in constant awareness of Your blessings and to respond with grateful hearts and generous lives. Amen.
