A Hymn at Sea

O thou, who hast spread out the skies
And measured the depths of the sea,
'Twixt the heavens and the ocean shall rise,
Our incense of praises to thee!

We know that thy presence is near,
While our bark tosses far from the land;
And we ride o'er the deep without fear;
For, the waters are held in thy hand.

Though not since the morn when the flood
Poured in, this vast cavern to fill,
Has the sea ever motionless stood,
Or the pulse of its bosom been still.

Inscribed on its face, from that hour
Thy name has indelibly shone,
Where man, while he worships thy power,
Can leave not a trace of his own!

Eternity comes in the sound
Of the billows, that never can sleep!
There's Deity circling us round—
Omnipotence walks o'er the deep!

O Father, our eye is to thee,
As on for the haven we roll;
And faith in our Pilot shall be
An anchor to steady the soul!