Hark! My Soul, How Everything – Hymn Lyric
“Hark! My Soul, How Everything Sings Praises to Our Benevolent King” is a hymn that celebrates nature’s chorus of praise for our generous King. From the chirping birds to the blooming flowers and babbling streams, every element of creation fulfills its duty and offers its own unique tribute to the Creator. This hymn invites us to reflect on the lessons we can learn from nature’s melody and how we can exemplify the same gratitude and devotion.
Table of Contents
Hark! My Soul, How Everything – Hymn Lyric
Hark, my soul, how everything strives
to serve our bounteous King;
Each a double tribute pays,
sings its parts, and then obeys.
Nature’s chief and sweetest choir
Him with cheerful notes admire;
Chanting every day their lauds,
while the grove their song applauds.
Though their voices lower be,
streams have too their melody;
Night and day they warbling run,
never pause, but still sing on.
All the flowers that gild the spring
hither their still music bring;
If heaven bless them, thankful, they
smell more sweet, and look more gay.
Only we can scarce afford
this short office to our Lord;
We, on whom His bounty flows,
all things gives, and nothing owes.
Wake! for shame, my sluggish heart,
wake! and gladly sing thy part;
Learn of birds, and springs, and flowers,
how to use thy nobler powers.
Call whole nature to thy aid;
since ’twas He whole nature made;
Join in one eternal song,
who to one God all belong.
Live forever, glorious Lord!
Live by all thy works adored,
One in Three, and Three in One,
thrice we bow to Thee alone.
Meaning of Hark! My Soul, How Everything
Hark! My Soul, How Everything Sings Praises to Our Benevolent King
Introduction:
In the hymn “Hark! My Soul, How Everything,” the beauty and harmony of nature are celebrated as they join in a chorus of praise for our generous and benevolent King. Each element of creation, from the chirping birds to the babbling streams and blooming flowers, fulfills its duty and offers its own unique tribute to the Creator. As we delve into the verses of this hymn, we are invited to reflect on the lessons we can learn from nature’s splendid melody and how we, as human beings, can exemplify the same gratitude and devotion.
Verse 1: The Chorus of Nature’s Choir
Nature’s chief and sweetest choir
Him with cheerful notes admire;
Chanting every day their lauds,
While the grove their song applauds.
The beauty of the natural world never ceases to amaze us. From the enchanting voices of birds that fill the air with joyful melodies to the majestic forest that echoes their song, nature truly serves as a manifestation of praise to our King. As the birds chirp and the trees sway in the wind, they remind us to take a moment to appreciate the awe-inspiring symphony created by our Creator. We realize that nature itself constantly sings praises to the One who blessed it with existence.
Verse 2: The Melodies of Streams and Flowers
Though their voices lower be,
Streams have too their melody;
Night and day they warbling run,
Never pause, but still sing on.
All the flowers that gild the spring
Hither their still music bring;
If heaven bless them, thankful, they
Smell more sweet and look more gay.
Nature’s melody expands beyond the realm of birds and encompasses the gentle babbling of streams. Although their voices may go unnoticed amid the bustle of everyday life, the harmonious gushing of streams serves as a reminder that even the smallest voices have significance. Moreover, as we witness the vibrant colors and alluring fragrance of flowers, we realize that they too offer their own music. And when they receive blessings from heaven in the form of sunlight and rain, they bloom with even more vibrancy and grace, expressing their gratitude to our generous King.
Verse 3: Our Shortcomings and Our Duty
Only we can scarce afford
This short office to our Lord;
We, on whom His bounty flows,
All things gives, and nothing owes.
Though nature faithfully fulfills its purpose in praising the Creator, we, as human beings, often fall short in our duties. We struggle to find the words or the time to express our gratitude. Despite our shortcomings, God’s bounty continues to pour onto us – every breath we take, every moment we experience is a gift. This realization calls us to action, encouraging us to awaken our slumbering hearts and gladly embrace our role in the grand symphony of creation.
Verse 4: Emulating Nature’s Devotion
Wake! for shame, my sluggish heart,
Wake! and gladly sing thy part;
Learn of birds and springs and flowers,
How to use thy nobler powers.
Call whole nature to thy aid;
Since ’twas He whole nature made;
Join in one eternal song,
Who to one God all belong.
Awakened from our complacency, we are urged to pay closer attention to the example set by the birds, the springs, and the flowers. We must learn from their unwavering devotion, as they effortlessly utilize their noble powers to honor our King. Just as nature was created to fulfill its purpose, we too were made with a unique set of gifts and abilities. By using these talents for the greater good and joining in the eternal song of praise, we can demonstrate our gratitude and become active participants in the symphony of worship.
Conclusion: Commemorating the Eternal Majesty of Our King
Live forever, glorious Lord!
Live by all Thy works adored,
One in Three, and Three in One,
Thrice we bow to Thee alone.
In conclusion, “Hark! My Soul, How Everything” serves as a reminder that every aspect of creation, from the smallest flowers to the mightiest mountains, offers a tribute to our benevolent King. As we immerse ourselves in the harmonious melody of nature, we learn the importance of gratitude and devotion. Let us awaken our sluggish hearts, learn from the birds, springs, and flowers, and utilize our noble powers to join the eternal song of worship. By doing so, we can honor our glorious Lord, who is One in Three, and Three in One. Thrice we bow to Him alone, for He is deserving of our highest praise.
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