A Hymn by G.K. Chesterton (1908)
A Hymn by G.K. Chesterton is a poem that celebrates the beauty and wonder of creation. The speaker praises God for creating all things, from the stars in the sky to the flowers on the ground. He also acknowledges humanity's place within this grand design, recognizing our responsibility to care for and appreciate the world around us. Throughout the poem, Chesterton uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey his message of awe and gratitude towards God and His creation.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1908 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Political Commentary, Social Criticism · 206 words
First lines
O God of earth and altar, Bow down and hear our cry Our earthly rulers falter, Our people drift and die; The walls of gold entomb us, The swords of scorn divide, Take not thy thunder from us, But take away our pride.
From all that terror teaches, From lies of tongue and pen, From all the easy speeches That comfort cruel men, From sale and profanation Of honour and the sword, From sleep and from damnation, Deliver us, good Lord!
Tie in a living tether The prince and priest and thrall, Bind all our lives together, Smite us and save us all; In ire and exultation Aflame with faith, and free, Lift up a living nation, A single sword to thee.
What this Textopian page supports
A Hymn is listed on Textopian as a poem by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: G.K. Chesterton
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Political Commentary, Social Criticism, Allegory
- Length: 206 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Hymn by G.K. Chesterton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Hymn?
- How does this poem by G.K. Chesterton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Religious Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Song Of Gifts To God by G. K. Chesterton
- Song Sermon by George Macdonald
- A Sang O Zion by George Macdonald
- To My God by George Macdonald
- The Temple Of God by George Macdonald
- The Sleepless Jesus by George Macdonald
Genres
- Religious Poetry — The text is a hymn, a form of religious poetry, addressing God and invoking divine intervention.
- Political Commentary — The poem critiques earthly rulers and societal issues, reflecting on political themes.
- Social Criticism — It addresses social issues such as pride, division, and moral decay, offering a critique of contemporary society.
- Allegory — The use of symbolic language and imagery suggests deeper moral and spiritual meanings.
Tags
poetry · religion · spirituality · faith · worship · philosophy · Christianity · nature · existentialism · sacred · divine · meditation