Lord of Earth, Thy Forming Hand

Lord of earth, Thy forming hand,
Well this beauteous frame hath planned,
Woods that wave, and hills that tower,
Ocean rolling in his power;
Yet amidst this scene so fair,
Should I cease thy smile to share,
What were all its joys to me?
Whom have I on earth but Thee?

Lord of heaven, beyond our sight
Shines a world of purer light;
There in love’s unclouded reign,
Severed friends shall meet again:
O that world is passing fair!
Yet, if Thou wert absent there,
What were all its joys to me?
Whom have I in Heaven but Thee?

Lord of earth and Heaven, my breast
Seeks in Thee its only rest;
I was lost; Thy accents mild
Homeward lured Thy wandering child:
O if once Thy smile divine
Ceased upon my soul to shine,
What were earth or Heaven to me?
Whom have in each but Thee?

Author: George Croly

Year: 1854

This hymn text by Irish clergyman and author George Croly (1780–1860) first appeared in his 1854 collection 'Psalms and Hymns for Public Worship'. The lyrical style and themes of seeking God as the sole source of joy and rest are characteristic of his work; no major alternate attributions are known.