This is My Father's World

Many years ago around the late 1800's, a pastor from Lockport, New York named Maltbie D. Babcock like to hike. There was one area in particular he liked to go called the escarpment, an old upthrust ledge near Lockport. He described it as a marvelous view of farms, orchards and Lake Ontario. It is said those walks inspired the lyrics to this hymn "This is My Father's World". Before Babcock would walk, he'd often say "I'm going out to see my Father's world."

Here are the lyrics to this timeless hymn written so long ago. I would imagine Mr. Babcock would be pleased to know it's still sung today.

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 Father’s world,

The birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white,

Declare their maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world:

He shines in all that’s fair;

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;

He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world.

O let me ne’er forget

That though the wrong

Seems oft so strong,

God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world:

The battle is not done:

Jesus who died shall be satisfied,

And earth and Heav’n be one.

This is my Father’s world,

Dreaming, I see His face.

I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise

Cry, The Lord is in this place.

This is my Father’s world,

From the shining courts above,

The Beloved One, His Only Son,

Came—a pledge of deathless love.

This is my Father’s world,

Should my heart be ever sad?

The lord is King—let the heavens ring.

God reigns—let the earth be glad.

This is my Father’s world.

Now closer to Heaven bound,

For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.

No place but is holy ground.

This is my Father’s world.

I walk a desert lone.

In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze

God makes His glory known.

This is my Father’s world,

a wanderer I may roam

Whate’er my lot, it matters not,

My heart is still at home.

Have a blessed day my friends.