The story behind the hymn
Folliott Pierpoint was twenty-nine, walking near Bath in late spring, when the beauty of the countryside moved him to write this hymn of grateful praise. It was originally written for communion, each stanza an offering.
The hymn is a structured thanksgiving: for creation's beauty, for the wonder of each hour, for human love — brother, sister, parent, child — and for the church lifting holy hands.
Its refrain turns gratitude into sacrifice: this our sacrifice of praise — echoing Hebrews 13:15, and making the whole hymn one long grace said over life itself.
The lyrics
For the beauty of the earth,For the glory of the skies,For the love which from our birthOver and around us lies:
Refrain
Lord of all, to Thee we raiseThis our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love,Brother, sister, parent, child,Friends on earth, and friends above,For all gentle thoughts and mild:
For Thy church that evermoreLifteth holy hands above,Offering up on every shoreHer pure sacrifice of love:
Public domain. Free to sing, copy, print, and share.
The Scripture behind it
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Every good gift... cometh down from the Father of lights.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Come before his presence with thanksgiving.