I am the Lord your God, Creator of the Earth!

During the heights of the Covid-19 pandemic, my church held worship together on the large front lawn of the church. Even as we moved past the pandemic, this practice has remained something we do periodically throughout the year. I was inspired during one such “on lawn” worship services as our Associate Pastor preached a sermon on creation care. Out of that inspiration, came this hymn – I am the Lord your God, Creator of the Earth! It is set to the hymn tune TERRA BEATA by Franklin L. Sheppard (1852-1930), which many will know as the hymn for This is My Father’s World.

I am the Lord your God, Creator of the Earth!
All living things, I place them here, to all things I gave birth.

Refrain:
Now live in Joy and Peace! Where thorns infest the ground; there I will place a towering oak, a sign of love and pow’r.

The mountains will sing out, their song of joy and praise!
From summits high and valleys low each rock its’ voice shall raise.
Refrain

The ocean vast and deep, its’ songs of praise you hear,
in crashing waves upon the shore; my pow’r in witness bear.
Refrain

In field and forest fair, in leaf and flower bloom
a hymn of praise takes to the air just as a sweet perfume.
Refrain

Seek out my will for you. Draw nearer to your Lord.
With endless sight I watch the stars after, now, and before.
Refrain