Thanksgiving: A Scientist’s Psalm

by Walter Hearn

(First published in HIS Magazine in March, 1964)

Praise the Lord, created thing!
Let all space with praises ring!
Space itself, Hosannas sing,
Unto God, Jehovah, King!

I Subatomic Particles

Particles in smallest cracks,
Known but by emulsion tracks;
Let all mesons praise Messiah!
Songs of praise mount ever higher!

Alpha, beta, gamma rays:
Join the chorus of His praise!
Be you ultimate or not,
All created, all begot.

Parity’s been overthrown —
Something He had always known.
Antimatter, fragments odd,
Quantum jumps to praise our God.

II Elements

Now from unexplored domains
Up to where the atom reigns;
Forged from state once hypertense,
Praise your Maker, elements!

Atoms of increasing mass,
Nuclei from solar gas,
Orbital electrons twinning:
Praise the God who set you spinning!

Rare-earth metal, halogen,
Amorphous glass or crystalline,
Solid, liquid, vapor phase:
Join in everlasting praise!

III Complex Structures

Molecules from atoms made
According to the plans He laid:
Praise the God of Angstrom units!
God of Abraham — and Kunitz!

Carbon compounds by the score,
Hundreds, thousands, millions more;
Helical configuration
Structured into God’s creation.

Proteins now and DNA,
Intertwining overlay;
Prototype of living cell:
Praise the God of Israel.

IV Life Forms

Viruses and protozoa:
Praise the faithful God of Noah!
Coral on the ocean shelf:
Praise the God of life itself!

Mildew, mosses, redwood trees,
Birds in air and fish in seas,
Crawling cockroach, roaring lion:
Praise Jehovah, God of Zion!

Human beings, new dimension —
Culture, science, and invention;
You who can subdue the earth:
Praise the God who gave you birth!

V The Universe

Earth we live on, merely one
Planet of a minor sun:
Join this entire galaxy,
Showing forth His majesty!

Beyond our own galactic rim,
Billions more are praising Him.
Ten to some gigantic power
Times the height of Babel’s tower.

Past the range of telescope:
God of Faith and Love and Hope.
Praise him every tongue and race!
Even those in outer space!

Selah

However far space does extend
From beginning unto end,
Praise the God who does transcend!
Every knee before Him bend!

God of whom these words are penned:
Against Thee only have we sinned.
Almighty Author of creation;
Visit us with Thy salvation.