May 12, 2010
9:56 PM

Our hymn of the month for May came alive to me a few summers ago on a family vacation to the Redwoods along the Northern California Coast. We were in the car returning to our campground after a day of sightseeing, listening to a shuffled mix of worship songs on my ipod when Amy Grant’s version of This is My Father’s World began playing. (From her Legacy … Hymns & Faith project. SonLight danced to this version in our May 9 worship services at Trinity.) We stopped talking and joined along in song as all of our senses consumed the beauty around us. It was a moment of worship as we joined with God’s creation in “declaring our Maker’s praise.” It was also a worship moment experiencing God’s presence, and being reminded of his personality, power and purpose together (as the link below to the hymn story will mention). Since then I’ve also come to love Jadon Lavik’s version, named, My Father’s World off his Roots Run Deep project (an outstanding hymn project worth adding to your collection). Lavik presents the hymn as a sweet meditation set to a simple and beautiful arrangement.

Here is a link to a brief yet thorough telling of the This is My Father’s World hymn story.

This is My Father’s World
Hymn by Matlbie D. Babcock, Tune by Franklin L. Sheppard

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white, declare their maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: he shines in all that’s fair;
in the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done.
Jesus who died will be satisfied, and earth and heav’n be one.

Alternative ending:
This is my Father’s world: why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

Bill Born