1 The perfect world by Adam trod
Was the first temple built by God;
His fiat laid the corner-stone,
And raised its pillars one by one.

2 He hung its starry roof on high
The broad expanse of azure sky;
He spread its pavement, green and bright,
And curtained it with morning light.

3 The mountains in their places stood,
The sea, the sky, and all "was good."
And when its first pure praises rang,
The "morning stars together sang."

4 Lord, 'tis not ours to make the sea
And earth and sky a house for thee;
But in thy sight our offering stands,
An humbler temple, "made with hands."