Eco-Justice Ministries
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This Is God's Wondrous World

The "children's hymn", This Is My Father's World, has helped shaped the creation spirituality of many people. (See the Eco-Justice Notes on that topic, All Nature Sings). The non-inclusive language of the hymn, though, has prevented its wide-spread use in recent years. We are aware of two hymnals that have inclusive phrasing -- one with gender-neutral language, and one with a mix of male and female words. We are happy to reproduce both options for the words here.

The traditional tune for the hymn is Terra Beata, a traditional English melody. They hymn picks up a different feel when sung to Diademata ("Crown Him With Many Crowns").

To the best of our knowledge, this hymn is not under current copyright, and either version of the words may be reproduced without restriction.

This Is God's Wondrous World

Malbie D. Babcock, 1858-1901, alt.

This is God's wondrous world, and to my listening ears,
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is God's wondrous world, I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas,
        God's hand the wonders wrought.

This is God's wondrous world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their maker's praise.
This is God's wondrous world. God shines in all that's fair,
In the rustling grass or mountain pass,
        God's voice speaks everywhere.

This is God's wondrous world. O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong. God is the ruler yet.
This is God's wondrous world: why should my heart be sad?
Let voices sing, O let the heavens ring!
        God reigns, let earth be glad.

from Voices United, the hymnal of the United Church of Canada

This Is My Father's World

Malbie D. Babcock, 1858-1901, alt.

This is my Father's world; and to my listening ears,
all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world; I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas,
        his hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Mother's world; the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the flowers bright, declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Mother's world; she shines in all that's fair;
in rustling grass I hear her pass;
        she speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Maker's world; oh, let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Maker's world; why should my heart be sad?
The heavens ring; let nature sing.
        God reigns; let earth be glad.

from Hymns of Truth and Light, published by First Congregational Church, UCC, in Houston, Texas

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Eco-Justice Ministries ended all programming on July 31, 2020. This site is an archive of writings and resources.
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