Australia’s many landscapes and climate zones mean that many versions of this biblical canticle will be needed to evoke God’s praise in all parts of the country. This example, along with APBA p 427, may provide a template for local creativity.
Rock and sand plain, bless the Lord: salt lake and red earth,
praise and glorify God for ever.
Rising moon and circling stars, bless the Lord: deep night, bright dawn and subtle sunset, praise and glorify God for ever.
Morning frost and midday heat, bless the Lord: desert wind, thunderstorm and lightning strike, praise and glorify God for ever.
Sweet spring and secret well, bless the Lord: cloudburst and gentle rain,
praise and glorify God for ever.
Mallee and sandalwood, wattle and cypress, bless the Lord: spiny shrubs and spiky grasses,
praise and glorify God for ever.
Ant and spider, bless the Lord: grubs and flies, moths and beetles, praise and glorify God for ever.
Eagle and emu, hawk and crow, bless the Lord: darting birds with flashing wings,
praise and glorify God for ever.
Frog and snake and lizard, bless the Lord: pygmy possum and kangaroo,
praise and glorify God for ever.
Pilgrim and scholar, artist and dreamer, bless the Lord: hermit and mystic, worker and traveller,
praise and glorify God for ever.
Let us bless the Trinity of mercy and grace, Eternal Wisdom, Living Word and Holy Spirit:
let us praise and glorify God for ever.
© The Anglican Church of Australia
This text may be reproduced for use in worship in the Anglican Church of Australia