Let the Whole Creation Cry (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 876)
1 Let the whole creation cry,
“Glory to the Lord on high!”
Heav’n and earth, awake and sing,
“Praise to our almighty king!”
Praise God, angel hosts above,
ever bright and fair in love;
sun and moon, lift up your voice;
night and stars, in God rejoice.
2 Servants striving for the Lord,
prophets burning with the word,
those to whom the arts belong
add their voices to the song.
Pow’rs of knowledge and of law,
to the glorious circle draw;
all who work and all who wait,
sing, “The Lord is good and great!”
3 Men and women, young and old,
raise the anthem loud and bold,
and let children’s happy hearts
in this worship take their parts;
from the north to southern pole
let the mighty chorus roll:
“Holy, Holy, Holy One;
glory be to God alone!”
Text: Stopford A. Brooke; Music: Jakob Hintze; Public Domain
Devotion
Although the source of Stopford A. Brooke’s inspiration for this hymn was Psalm 148, I hear echoes of Psalm 8 in it as well. Humanity joins together with all of nature to give God the glory. We are included in the summons to sing our grateful praise. Everyone has a part to play in this grand celebration; no one and nothing is excluded. And at the center of it all is the One who creates, sustains, and holds all things, united in everlasting love.
Prayer
Almighty and Ever-living God, you have included us in your creative work so that your will and your way will be done on earth “as it is in heaven.” No matter what our gender, age, or calling, may we glorify you with grateful hearts in all that we say and do. Amen.