This Is My Father’s World

By Ps Alby Yip

The phrase This is my father’s world likely mean something else for the man in the street. Perhaps you might even as you read it now think of “lim-peh” or “you think it’s your grandfather’s road” or the likes. Their connotations are usually quite negative.

But contrary to popular understanding, the phrase This Is My Father’s World is the exact opposite when it was first penned. This Is My Father’s World was originally a poem written by Maltbie Babcock (1858-1901) which was later re-written as a hymn.

Babcock was an accomplished sportsman and later pastor-preacher. Once while out to the Niagara Falls, he was moved to pen the lines…

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.
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, he shines in all that’s fair;
in the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad!

For the author, to truly appreciate this being our Heavenly Father’s world begins with a poetic appreciation of the Hand behind the wonder of nature. That nature is not only harmoniously created, they also resound harmoniously in praise of the Creator.

More importantly, it is when one begins to be really present among the created, to indulge, to feel, to be embraced, that one will experience the presence of the Creator, both His transcendence and His immanence—indeed His sovereignty!

It is only then that one will find that centeredness and restedness in this tumultuous, broken and sinful world. We all carry with us the scars and burdens of life in this sin-plagued world, whether it is self-inflicted, others-caused, and illness-plagued.

This is my Father’s world is a rhapsodic assurance to fret not. What we see with our naked eyes are merely stained. Where the eyes of our hearts are clear, we will see, indeed—God is the Ruler yet—God reigns; let the earth be glad!

Perhaps it is time for you to take time to pause and appreciate nature? Or rather, to allow nature to embrace, still your hearts, and open your eyes to the God who loves and cares for you? Go, let the Creator enfold you… (and it helps to listen to the hymn as you do). I’m sure you will find many things and people God has blessed you with. I just did when writing this…