Nature and Law (rhymed version)

The words of God are pure
And precious more than gems in fair display;
They are bound up in hearts for ever, yea,
In souls are held secure.
All speech grows weary in pursuit that flies
After His endless praise—
For what hath one of numbered days
To do with infinite eternities?—
As clouds above the dust, above him soar God's ways.
What of the mind cut short?
And reason that is lacking strength to know?
How should it grasp the way of power—so
Silence before Him, all that speak of Him!
And perish all their thought!
Only the works His hand hath wrought
Let them declare, and may their lips o’erbrim
With singing and their voice be loud with praises fraught.
Tongues be fulfilled of speech,
Exalting, crowning, telling o’er His praise;
Souls be extolling, still discerning ways
To learn and tell and teach.
But how shall I all humbly seek the Lord?
Oblation once I gave
Within His house—and “From the grave"
He said, “ I yet will lift them at My word,
And I will be a father to the sons I save.”
But strange are all the lands;
One cannot bring a gift without alloy.
Rebuild the chiefest city! Find Thy joy
As once from holier hands.
Wisdom is withered that abode in state
In hearts exceeding wise,
For all they thought and did devise
Is other than He knoweth; yea, too great,
Too many are His works for sight of wisdom’s eyes.
His wonders manifold
Bring daily marvels new in fruitful throngs.
These give to Him, unceasing, only songs,
In numbers all untold.
Behold, clear witnesses enough are Thine!
All mountains under Heaven
They fill; on every form is graven
The seal of God; and all about them shine
The kindred lights in heaven and earth of stars twice seven.
For seven in the height
There shine the seven lamps in earthly guise,
Given to so illume the earth-dimmed eyes
To look upon His light.