The story behind the hymn
Maltbie Babcock, a pastor in New York State, loved to hike the hills overlooking Lake Ontario, telling his wife he was going out to see my Father's world. The poem was published after his early death in 1901.
The hymn hears creation as music — the birds, the light, the rustling grass — all declaring their Maker. But its deepest note comes late: though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
It is a hymn for troubled times as much as country walks: the confidence that this remains the Father's world, and that the battle is not done until earth and heaven be one.
The lyrics
This is my Father's world,And to my listening earsAll nature sings, and round me ringsThe music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world:The birds their carols raise,The morning light, the lily white,Declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world:O let me ne'er forgetThat though the wrong seems oft so strong,God is the ruler yet.
Public domain. Free to sing, copy, print, and share.
The Scripture behind it
The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
The heavens declare the glory of God.