If thou help a feeble worm
To believe thy promise now,
Justice will at last confirm
What thy mercy wrought below.
IV. CREATION.
80.
The Old and New Creation.
1 That was a wonder-working word
Which could the vast creation raise f
Angels, attendant on their Lord
Admired the plan, and sung his praise.
2 From what a dark and shapeless mass
All nature sprang at his command !
Letthere be light ! and light there was,
And sun and stars and sea and land.
3 With equal speed the earth and seas
Their mighty Maker s voice obey d ;
He spake, and straight the plants and trees
And birds and beasts and man were made.
4 But man, the lord and crown of all,
By sin his honour soon defaced,
His heart (how alter d since the fall!)
Is dark, deform d, and void and waste.
5 The new creation of the soul
Does now no less his power display,
Than when he form d the mighty whole,
And kindled darkness into day.
6 Though self-destroy d, Lord, we are,
Yet let us feel what thou canst do ;
Thy word the ruin can repair,
And all our hearts create anew.
