WHO IS GOD?

Augustus Montague Toplady, vicar of Broad Hembury, Devon, 1768-1778, was asked when only fifteen years old. Who is God? Here is his reply:

Is there a man whose daring hand

Can number every grain of sand?

Can count the drops that fill the sea,

Or tell how many stars there be?

Who, then, shall strive to comprehend

Infinity that knows no end?

Who shall set bounds to boundless power,

Restrain omnipotence, or lower

Eternity to one poor hour?

Believe me, friend, thou canst no more

The vast designs of God explore

Than thy short arm can touch the skies,

Or fathom ocean’s deep abyss.

Who shall disclose his Maker’s plan,

Or dare His secret will to scan?

Shall feeble, guilty, finite man?

None but perfection, such as His,

Can know the Almighty as He is;

His glory never can be brought

Adapted to a mortal’s thought.

Consider what thou art, and fear

This unseen witness always near.

Dive not into His deep decree:

The object’s too elate for thee,

Thou must not ask, nor wish to see.

Cast each presumptuous doubt away;

Remember thou art, at best, but clay,

Whose only province is to obey.