Psalm 19:1-6 by Joseph Addison

 

Ode

by Joseph Addison

(after Psalm 19:1-6)

The Spacious Firmament on high,

With all the blue Etherial Sky,

And spangled Heav'ns, a Shining Frame,

Their great Original proclaim:

Th' unwearied Sun, from Day to Day,

Does his Creator's Power display,

And publishes to every Land

The Work of an Almighty Hand.

Soon as the Evening Shades prevail,

The Moon takes up the Wondrous Tale,

And nightly to the list'ning Earth

Repeats the Story of her Birth:

Whilst all the Stars that round her burn,

And all the Planets, in their turn,

Confirm the Tidings as they rowl,

And spread the Truth from Pole to Pole.

What though, in solemn Silence, all

Move round the dark terrestrial Ball?

What tho' nor real Voice nor Sound

Amid their radiant Orbs be found?

In Reason's Ear they all rejoice,

And utter forth a glorious Voice,

For ever singing, as they shine,

`The Hand that made us is Divine.'

Joseph Addison's famous `Ode' to the glory of God was first published in The Spectator, no. 465, 1712.