Then Thank the Lord

I came across this hymn recently.  I'm sure it's of more traditional provenance than the setting I (and folks of my, uh, antiquity) recall from the 70s-era musical Godspell, but that's the tune I have in mind when I read this.  Anyway, today being Thanksgiving, it seems suitably apropos. . .

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We Plough the Fields
     by Matthias Claudius (1740-1815)

We plough the fields and scatter
     The good seed on the land,
But it is fed and watered
     By God's almighty hand;
He sends the snow in winter,
     The warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine,
     And soft refreshing rain.

All good gifts around us
     Are sent from Heaven above,
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
     For all His love.


He only is the Maker
     Of all things near and far
He paints the wayside flower,
     He lights the evening star.
The winds and waves obey Him,
     By Him the birds are fed;
Much more to us, His children,
     He gives our daily bread.

All good gifts around us
     Are sent from Heaven above,
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
     For all His love.


We thank Thee then, O Father,
     For all things bright and good,
The seed-time and the harvest,
     Our life, our health, our food.
No gifts have we to offer
     For all Thy love imparts,
But that which Thou desirest,
     Our humble, thankful hearts.

All good gifts around us
     Are sent from Heaven above,
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
     For all His love.

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"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
     His steadfast love endures forever."
          - Psalm 107:1  (also Psalm 118:1, Psalm 136:1)

I wish a happy and richly-blessed Thanksgiving to all my friends and their families.