Scripture Verse

I do set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth. Genesis 9:13

Introduction

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Cathy Yost

Words: Cathy Yost, 2000. This hymn was the win­ning en­try in Oc­to­ber, 2000, of a na­tion­al Cre­a­tion Hymn Com­pe­ti­tion spon­sored by the Cen­tral Pres­by­te­ri­an Church of Hous­ton, Texas.

Music: Beach Spring, from the Sac­red Harp, by Ben­ja­min F. White, 1844 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Benjamin F. White
1800–1879

Lyrics

O, Creator of the cosmos,
We present our hearts in prayer.
We are awestruck by your glory,
Which surrounds us everywhere.
From the birdsong of the morning
To a stormy sky at night,
You reveal yourself in Nature,
In its gentleness and might.

Through each rainbow that you send us
You renew your covenant
With the earth and all life on it,
Telling us of your intent
That each living thing should flourish,
In its own way, in its place.
You call us to new awareness
Of our neighbors and their space.

In our eagerness to prosper,
We have ravaged what was good.
Using more than what was needed,
Taking everything we could.
We have changed the gentle order
You intended for the earth.
Now we humbly ask the wisdom
To be part of its re-birth.

We seek mercy, we seek vision,
And the courage we will need
As we work to help the victims
Of the sins of human greed.
By our choices, in our actions,
May we be part of your plans.
Help us gently till the Garden
You’ve entrusted to our hands.

Finding strength in common purpose,
May Your faithful people be
Voices for a new perspective,
Leaders in simplicity.
Give us guidance, O, Creator.
Give us power to achieve
True compassion for Creation
As the legacy we leave.