O Lord, my Lord,
as thy prophet has declared:
how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

How wonderful is your majesty;
how majestic the wonders you have made!

I look to the heavens 
and know that you created Light.
I look to the earth 
and see that you have set the foundations of the world.
In the rising and the setting of the sun
I am reminded that your beauty is reflected
in the work your hands have done.

In the stillness of a mountain lake,
the reflections of a million stars take my breath away.
In the raging of the ocean’s storms,
I see the power of all that you have formed.
In the flourish of frozen ferns on winter glass,
I sense an intricacy of design that surpasses description.

Let my soul know, O God,
that your power transcends all that is made and seen.
Let the foundation of my heart be firmly anchored
to your steadfast love.
Grant me, I pray, Lord God,
the wisdom that comes from above—
pure, peaceful, gentle, full of mercy and good fruits.

Remind me, O God,
of the joy of my salvation,
of the promise of eternity,
of the eternity of your presence,
and make my soul to be at peace,
my hands busy in serving you
by loving those that you have made

in your own image.


H. Arnett
12/8/2022