THOU, that dost best provide, what we require —
That dost our bodies and our souls uphold,
I bless thee for thy glorious creature, Fire,
Which thou hast made to warm us when we’re cold!
How graciously, O God! didst thou ordain
Food against hunger — drink, when we are dry —
Fire, against cold — and houses, against rain?
And all, thy froward creatures to supply!
For if thou hadst not form’d this useful slave,
Our bodies with its pleasing warmth to cheer,
How long had men been absent from the grave?
Or how cou’d he have ever sojourn’d here.
Although it be so requisite a thing,
But few among so many millions join
(How few, alas!) their grateful thanks to bring,
And praise thy goodness for the gift divine?
Lord, open thou our eyes, that we may see,
How vast the blessings thou on us hast shed —
Open our mouths, that we may trumpet thee,
Each of us, for his house, his sire, his bed!
Better than us, have often lain abroad,
Shiv’ring with cold, beneath a bitter sky :
Cherish them with thy favour, O my God!
And make us ever thankful, ’till we die!
(Rees Prichard)
More Poetry from Rees Prichard:
Rees Prichard Poems based on Topics: God, Fire, Charity, Blessings, Slavery- Advice, To Search For The Lord Jesus Christ (Rees Prichard Poems)
- Stanza's Concerning Some Persons And Things, That Are Mentioned In The Holy Scriptures (Rees Prichard Poems)
- Advice To Ev'ry Master Of A Family, To Govern His House In A Religious Manner (Rees Prichard Poems)
- Concerning Prayer, And Its Proper Requisites (Rees Prichard Poems)
- Advice To Serve God (Rees Prichard Poems)
- Christ Is All In All (Rees Prichard Poems)