Presidential Poetry: Turn To The Stars Of Heaven Thine Eyes

 

"Lift up your eyes on high and see!  Who has created these?
He Who brings out their host by number and calls them all by name;
through the greatness of His might and because He is strong in power,
not one is missing or lacks anything."
(Isaiah 40:26)

John Quincy Adams

July 11, 1767-February 23, 1828

6th President of the United States of America

Image courtesy/National Park Service

Turn to the stars of heaven thine eyes,

And God shall meet thee there;

Exalt thy vision to the skies,

His glory they declare;

Day speaks to day, night teaches night,

And all in harmony unite

Their Maker to proclaim.

Earth has no language, man no speech,

But gives their voices a tongue;

Their words the world's foundations reach;

Their hymn in heaven is sung;

Pavilioned there in glory bright,

As from a blooming bride,

The sun comes forth in floods of light,

With all a bridegroom's pride.

Glad, like a giant for the race,

His orient flame ascends,

Soars through the boundless realms of space,

And in the west descends;

His heat the vital lamp bestows,

The firmament pervades,

In ocean's darkest caverns glows,

And earth's profoundest shades.