Richard Watson Gilder. Hymn Sung at the Presentation of the Obelisk to the City of New York, February 22, 1881. Hamilton Fish Armstrong, ed. 1917. The Book of New York Verse

Hamilton Fish Armstrong, ed. The Book of New York Verse. 1917.

Hymn Sung at the Presentation of the Obelisk to the City of New York, February 22, 1881

By Richard Watson Gilder


GREAT God, to whom since time began
The world has prayed and striven;
Maker of stars, and earth, and man,
To thee our praise is given.
Here, by this ancient Sign	5
Of Thine own Light divine,
We lift to thee our eyes,
Thou Dweller of the Skies;
Hear us, O God in Heaven!

Older than Nilus’ mighty flood	10
Into the Mid-Sea pouring,
Or than the sea, Thou God hast stood—
Thou God of our adoring!
Waters and stormy blast
Haste when thou bid’st them haste;	15
Silent, and hid, and still,
Thou sendest good and ill;
Thy ways are past exploring.

In myriad forms, by myriad names,
Men seek to bind and mould Thee;	20
But Thou dost melt, like wax in flames,
The cords that would enfold Thee
Who madest life and light,
Bring’st morning after night,
Who all things did create—	25
No majesty, nor state,
Nor word, nor world can hold Thee!

Great God, to whom since time began
The world has prayed and striven;
Maker of stars, and earth, and man,	30
To Thee our praise is given.
Of suns Thou art the Sun,
Eternal, holy One;
Who us can help save Thou?
To Thee alone we bow!	35
Hear us, O God in heaven!