Ere God had built the mountains

The words

1. 1

   Stanza 1. Ere God had built the mountains,Or raised the fruitful hills;Before he filled the fountainsThat feed the running rills;In me, from everlasting,The wonderful I AM,Found pleasures never wasting,And Wisdom is my name.

2. 2

   Stanza 2. When, like a tent to dwell in,He spread the skies abroad;And swathed about the swellingOf ocean’s mighty flood;.He wrought by weight and measure,And I was with him then;Myself the Father’s pleasure,And mine, the sons of men.

3. 3

   Stanza 3. Thus wisdom’s words discoverThy glory and thy grace,Thou everlasting loverOf our unworthy race!Thy gracious eye surveyed usEre stars were seen above.In wisdom thou hast made us,And died for us in love.

4. 4

   Stanza 4. And couldst thou be delightedWith creatures such as we!Who when we saw thee, slightedAnd nailed thee to a tree?Unfathomable wonder,And mystery divine!The voice that speaks in thunder,Says, “Sinner I am thine!”

Olney Hymns (1779), Book 1, Hymn 52. William Cowper. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/1-52