The Old and New Creation

I

That was a wonder-working word
Which could the vast creation raise!
Angels, attendant on their Lord
Admired the plan, and sung his praise.

II

From what a dark and shapeless mass
All nature sprang at his command!
Let there be light! and light there was,
And sun and stars and sea and land.

III

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.

IV

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.

V

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.

VI

Though self-destroy’d, O Lord, we are,
Yet let us feel what thou canst do;
Thy word the ruin can repair,
And all our hearts create anew.