well is it for the land whose people, yearly,
turn to the giver of all good with praise,
chanting glad hymns that thank him, loudly, clearly,
rejoicing in the beauty of his ways.
great name that means all perfectness and power!
we thank thee—not for mercy, nor release,
but for clear joy in sky and sea and flower,
in thy pure justice, and thy blessed peace.
we live; behind us the dark past; before,
a wide way full of light that thou dost give;
more light, more strength, more joy and ever more—
o god of joy! we thank thee that we live!