In Grace His Brightest Glories Shine

All Nature Spreads, With Open Blaze
Ralph Erskine, 1685-1752

All nature spreads, with open blaze,
Her Maker's name abroad;
And every work of His displays
The power and skill of God.

But in the grace that rescued man,
His brightest glory shines;
Here on the cross 'tis fairest drawn,
In precious bloody lines.

Here His whole name appears complete;
And who can guess or prove,
Which of the letters best are writ,
The wisdom, power, or love?

Justice and mercy, truth and grace,
In all their sweetest charms,
Here met, and joined their kind embrace,
With everlasting arms.

The Decalogue (in verse)

Erskine's poetic rendering of the Ten Commandments could be a helpful tool for children (or adults) wanting to memorize them.

The Ten Commandments
Ralph Erskine, 1863

1. No God but Me thou shalt adore,
I am thy God alone.

2. No image frame to bow before,
But idols all dethrone.

3. God's glorious name take not in vain,
For be revered He will.

4. His sacred Sabbath don't profane,
Mind it is holy still.

5. To parents render due respect,
This may thy life prolong.

6. All murder shun and malice check,
To no man's life do wrong.

7. From thoughts of whoredom base abstain,
From words and actions vile.

8. Shun theft and all unlawful gain,
Nor gather wealth by guile.

9. False witness flee, and slandering spite,
Nor wilful lies invent.

10. Don't covet what's thy neighbor's right,
Nor harbor discontent.

Early Evangelical Poetry

The Glory of God in Christ
Ralph Erskine, 1863

All nature spreads, with open blaze,
Her Maker's name abroad;
And every work of His displays
The power and skill of God.

But in the grace that rescued man,
His brightest glory shines;
Here on the cross 'tis fairest drawn,
In precious bloody lines.

Here His whole name appears complete;
And who can guess or prove,
Which of the letters best are writ,
The wisdom, power, or love?

Justice and mercy, truth and grace,
In all their sweetest charms,
Here met, and joined their kind embrace,
With everlasting arms.