O God, You Made the Trees

 

O God, You Made the Trees

TERRA BEATA 6.6.8.6 D ("This is My Father's World")

 

O God, you made the trees!  The oak and Douglas fir,

the maple, beech, and sweetgum reach their branches heavenward.

The willow, growing wide— the redwood, tall and strong— 

and cedar trees!  Yes, all of these sing out creation’s song.

 

You made each living thing to give and to receive.

As roots grow down into the ground, they twist and interweave.

A canopy of green restores and cools the air.

Great branches shade the earth you made, and dance— as if in prayer.

 

How often we forget the forests and their worth!

We lay cement on places meant to be the lungs of earth.

For profit and for gain, we build and build some more;

We cut down woods in neighborhoods of people who are poor.

 

O God, you made the trees— the apple and the pine.

You made them all and still you call:  “Take care of what is mine!”

May we receive your gift and give ourselves anew

to do our best, as we’ve been blessed, to care for trees for you.

 

Tune: Traditional English melody ("This is My Father's World")  (MIDI)
Text: Copyright © 2021 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: carolynshymns@gmail.com     New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com/