The spacious firmament on high,

With all the blue ethereal sky,

And spangled heavens, a shining frame,

Their great Original proclaim.

2 Th’ unwearied sun, from day to day,

Does his Creator’s power display,

And publishes to every land

The work of an almighty hand.

3 Soon as the evening shades prevail,

The moon takes up the wondrous tale,

And nightly to the listening earth

Repeats the story of her birth:

4 While all the stars that round her burn,

And all the planets in their turn,

Confirm the tidings as they roll,

And spread the truth from pole to pole,

5 What though in solemn silence all

Move round this dark terrestrial ball—

What though no real voice nor sound

Amid their radiant orbs be found—

6 In reason’s ear they all rejoice,

And utter forth a glorious voice;

For ever singing as they shine,

The hand that made us is divine!