I've chosen a couple of psalms and hymns which express particularly well the writers' appreciation of the beauty of God's creation and His presence in it. Since I haven't written any hymns myself yet, I'll let these writers speak for me! The first one, "This is My Father's World," reinforces the idea of our stewardship of the earth, and of God's nearness and reflection in the simple wonders of His creation. GLAD, a group of Christian a cappella singers who recorded this hymn, tells how Maltbie Babcock, the minister who wrote this hymn, was frequently heard saying that he was "going out to see his Father's world."

This Is My Father's World This is my Father's world And to my listening ears All nature sings and round me rings Music of the spheres. This is my Father's world The birds their carols raise The morning light, the lily white, And their Maker's praise. This is my Father's world He shines in all that's fair In rustling grass I hear Him pass; He speaks to me everywhere. This is my Father's world O let me ne'er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong God is our Ruler yet. This is my Father's world The battle is not done Jesus, and I shall be satisfied And earth and heaven be won.

The Psalms in the Bible are an excellent place to find tributes to the glory of the created natural world. Here are two excerpts which come to mind often when I consider nature. Psalm 19 describes the expanse of the heavens, and Psalm 8 muses on man's place in creation and His unique relationship with God. Both excerpts come from the New King James Version and were written and sung by King David.

Psalm 19: 1-6 The Heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day by day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end... Psalms 8:3-9 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that you visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion Over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under His feet, all sheep and oxen -- Even the beasts of the field. The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!

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