I SING THE ALMIGHTY GOD (TH#23)

TIMELESS HYMN  - A special feature where I highlight some of my favorite hymns that have been featured previously in this blog.  These entries are revised and expanded and shared again for your encouragement and challenge.  This hymn was first shared on April 19, 2009.

          In 1715 Isaac Watts (1674-1748) put together a songbook that was a collection of gospel songs for children.  It was one of the most popular collections published in its day and was used with English children for decades.  Watts's Divine Songs is thought to be the first ever hymnal for children.  The only song from his hymnal that remains in common use today is "Praise for Creation and Providence", known today as "I Sing the Almighty Power of God".  When our family used to lead week-long rally Bible schools we always taught a hymn which coordinated with our theme for the week.  We thought then, as we still do today, that there are many great hymns which can teach children, and adults as well, many great Biblical truths.  And kids do remember these hymns as they grow older.  This week's hymn was always one of my favorites of those that we taught.  I especially enjoyed it when we would teach this hymn to the children at Pinebrook, in the middle of the Pocono Mountains.  Singing there about the power that made the mountains rise and the power that built the lofty skies was especially meaningful in that beautiful setting.  The visuals that we used ended with a picture of a satellite to illustrate the last phrase, "and everywhere that man can be, Thou, God, art present there".  Each time that we looked at that visual and sang that phrase I would remember the first Russian cosmonaut who, upon his return from space, said that he had looked everywhere in space and didn't see God.  Poor guy.  Someday he will see God and it most likely won't be an enjoyable experience for him. What a mighty God we serve - Creator and Sustainer of creation.  All powerful and present everywhere.   But even greater than His creation is His gift to is of eternal life with Him. So worship our almighty God today by singing these great words penned many years ago by Isaac Watts..

(1)   I sing the mighty power of God,

that made the mountains rise,

that spread the flowing seas abroad,

and built the lofty skies.

I sing the wisdom that ordained

the sun to rule the day;

The moon shines full at God's command,

and all the stars obey.

(2)     I sing the goodness of the Lord,

who filled the earth with food,

Who formed the creatures through the Word,

and then pronounced them good.

Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed,

wherever I turn my eye,

If I survey the ground I tread,

or gaze upon the sky.

(3)      There's not a plant or flower below,

but makes Thy glories known,

And clouds arise, and tempests blow,

by order from Thy throne;

While all that borrows life from Thee

is ever in Thy care;

And everywhere that man can be,

Thou, God art present there.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN1

Here is another choice dine by one of my favorite groups, Greater Vision   LISTEN2

And a third choice, this by the Hoppers   LISTEN3