What a glorious day it is!

Today I finally had the complete Sumer ist ycumen in moment. It was presaged by the fact that it was barely dark by dinnertime last night, but light when I got up this morning*. When, though, I saw the myriad vivid shades of the green of fully leafed trees against the brilliant blue sky this morning, I realized that it was really here!

In recognition of this glorious day, a hymn from my old Lutheran days (with one verse omitted) seems in order:

1. All praise to God, who reigns above,
The God of all creation,
The God of wonders, power, and love,
The God of our salvation!
With healing balm my soul He fills,
The God who every sorrow stills,--
To God all praise and glory!

2. What God's almighty power hath made
His gracious mercy keepeth;
By morning dawn or evening shade
His watchful eye ne'er sleepeth;
Within the kingdom of His might
Lo, all is just and all is right,--
To God all praise and glory!

3. I cried to Him in time of need:
Lord God, oh, hear my calling!
For death He gave me life indeed
And kept my feet from falling.
For this my thanks shall endless be;
Oh, thank Him, thank our God, with me,--
To God all praise and glory!

5. Ye who confess Christ's holy name,
To God give praise and glory!
Ye who the Father's power proclaim,
To God give praise and glory!
All idols under foot be trod,
The Lord is God! The Lord is God!
To God all praise and glory!

6. Then come before His presence now
And banish fear and sadness;
To your Redeemer pay your vow
And sing with joy and gladness:
Though great distress my soul befell,
The Lord, my God, did all things well,--
To God all praise and glory!

Author: Johann J. Schuetz, 1675, cento
Translated by: composite

*One of the few things of which my maternal grandfather would approve in my life today is that I end up feeling a little guilty if I sleep until daybreak.