So why did God take six days to create
the universe, its flowers and planets great?
Why not produce all instantaneously?
I think he wanted us his plan to see
– his thought, great wisdom and delight, the pleasure
he took in forming beauty, precious treasure.

It gave a pattern for our work, our week,
a seven-day plan so good, with needed break
to rest and praise, refreshing crown of time,
meet with our caring Father, Lord divine.
But now for long there have been those who said
‘There is no God – it made itself instead!’

‘What seems impossible may have occurred
if length of time is vast’ – but it’s absurd
to think that tiny changes brought by chance
could ever viability enhance –
those fossils were by sudden burial formed,
life’s chemistry’s designed by One now scorned.

Tune: 10 10 10 10 10 10 eg Finlandia by Sibelius

“Our love of beauty, and some skill
reflects Your greater – how we thrill
to see the rose and daffodil,
deep hue of seas of wild bluebell;

“the flash of darting kingfisher’s flight,
the graceful circling of a kite,
the murmurations – startling sight,
as starling clouds swirl before night;

“the sculpture of a swallow’s brain
so it can travel home again;
the intricacy of each cell
whose complex chemistry works so well;

“the dazzling beauty of night’s sky
that all may see, and wonder, ‘Why
is all so beautiful?’, then sigh,
‘Will this continue when I die?’

“Oh, as You’ve made me with some skill
may I now use it as You will,
– in all I do to beauty sow
and praise Your work where’er I go!”
Tune: LM