Noah beheld the wondrous sign

On darksome clouds reclining;

God's peace and covenant benign

Were through its glory shining.

As mounts the lark to yonder sky

Whene'er the rain is ended,

So from the earth again made dry

Their song to God ascended.

The Lord Himself in heaven wrote

His peace in one bright letter:

Expression of a tranquil thought--

Give grace to read it better!

Bow of the covenant of grace,

God's loving-kindness sent it!

The earth it seemeth to embrace--

The hands of God have bent it!

My Father's flaming bow I sing,

Its flame in love was given:

Inwrought with peace and void of string,

No arrow from it driven!

As Jacob's ladder showed erewhile

Heaven and earth in union;

The frowning cloud, the sunny smile,

Are here in calm communion.

Type of the Saviour, God and Man,

The Rainbow o'er us bending;

He made the earth and heaven one

In peace that hath no ending.

How can I bear the sun's strong light?

The rainbowed cloud is dearer:

O Son of God! too far, too bright--

The Son of Man comes nearer.