We thank Thee, Lord, for this fair earth,
The glittering sky, the silver sea;
For all their beauty, all their worth,
Their light and glory, come from Thee.
Thine are the flowers that clothe the ground,
The trees that wave their arms above,
The hills that gird our dwellings round,
As Thou dost gird thine own with love.
Yet teach us still how far more fair,
More glorious, Father, in Thy sight,
Is one pure deed, one holy prayer,
One heart that owns Thy Spirit’s might.
So while we gaze with thoughtful eye
On all the gifts Thy love has given,
Help us in Thee to live and die,
By Thee to rise from earth to heaven.
George E. L. Cotton, 1856
Read Psalm 29:1-11
(On Thanksgiving, we tend to focus on how God has personally blessed us–our families, our health and so forth. “We Thank Thee, Lord” gives thanks to God as Sovereign Creator. He also stresses obedience “one pure deed, one holy prayer, One heart that owns Thy Spirit’s might” is our best response to Him. In the United States, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s recommit ourselves to obedience.)