1 Can creatures to perfection find [1] Th' eternal uncreated mind? Or can the largest stretch of thought Measure and search his nature out?
2 'Tis high as heaven, 'tis deep as hell, And what can mortals know or tell? His glory spreads beyond the sky, And all the shining worlds on high.
3 But man, vain man, would fain be wise, Born like a wild young colt he flies Thro' all the follies of his mind, And swells and snuffs the empty wind.
4 God is a King of power unknown, Firm are the orders of his throne; If he resolve, who dares oppose, Or ask him why, or what he does?
5 He wounds the heart, and he makes whole; He calms the tempest of the soul; When he shuts up in long despair Who can remove the heavy bar?
6 He frowns, [2] and darkness veils the moon; The fainting sun grows dim at noon; The pillars [3] of heaven's starry roof Tremble and start at his reproof.
7 He gave the vaulted heaven its form, The crooked serpent and the worm; He breaks the billows with his breath, And smites the Sons of pride to death.
8 These are a portion of his ways, But who shall dare describe his face? Who can endure his light, or stand To hear the thunders of his hand?
[1] Job 11:7 &c. [2] Job 25:5. [3] Job 26:11 &c.
End of the Second Book.
Hymns.