For the Beauty of the Earth

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits.” (Psalm 103:2 KJV)

Have you ever taken a walk among your blessings? Folliot Pierpoint did. He was feeling discouraged and a friend suggested that he take a walk among his blessings. The list of his many blessings is found in his hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth.” Since this Sunday is Mother’s Day, reflect especially on the blessings of this verse: “For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child . . .”

“One of the delights that we as adults have in being around children is to hear their squeals of pleasure as they observe and discover some ordinary object about them. No doubt our heavenly Father is also pleased when His children take time to observe and appreciate His creation and then to simply express joyous gratitude to Him for His countless blessings. Today’s hymn reminds us of the common blessings of life that many of us often take for granted—the beauties of nature, our parents, family, friends, church. The lyrics then direct our ‘grateful praise’ to God Himself, the giver of every good and perfect gift.”¹

 

1. Osbeck, Kenneth W. Amazing Grace (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1990, 2002), pg. 331.

For the Beauty of the Earth

For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.
   Refrain
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour,
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon, and stars of light.
  Refrain

For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight.
   Refrain

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild.
   Refrain

For Thyself, best gift divine,
To our race so freely given,
For that great, great love of Thine,
Peace on earth and joy in heaven.
   Refrain

(by Folliot Pierpoint)