Vespers on Friday

Friday at Vespers –

Maker of men from heav’n thy throne,
Who ord’rest all things God alone;
By whose decree the teeming earth
To reptile and to beast gave birth:

The mighty forms that fill the land,
Instinct with life at thy command,
Are giv’n subdued to human kind
For service in their rank assigned.

From all thy servants drive away
Whate’er of thought impure today
Hath been with open action blent,
Or mingled with the heart’s intent.

In heav’n thine endless joys bestow,
But grant thy gifts of grace below;
From chains of strife our souls release,
Bind fast the gentle bands of peace.

~Office Hymn – Sixth Day of Creation