Katherine Jenkins - All Things Bright And Beautiful Lyrics
Lyrics
[Refrain:]
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors,
And made their tiny wings.
[Refrain]
The purple-headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.
[Refrain]
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden:
God made them every one.
[Refrain]
God gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
[Refrain]
Video
Katherine Jenkins // All Things Bright and Beautiful for Songs of Praise (Official Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Katherine Jenkins' rendition of "All Things Bright and Beautiful," released on January 17, 2018, for Songs of Praise, serves as a profoundly moving testament to the intricate beauty of creation and the divine artistry behind it. This beloved hymn, originally penned by Cecil Frances Alexander, finds a powerful voice in Jenkins' warm and resonant performance, drawing listeners into a deep contemplation of the natural world as a reflection of God's glory. The song’s narrative unfolds not as a mere listing of pleasantries, but as a deliberate unveiling of God’s creative power, from the most delicate bloom to the grandest mountain range. The recurring refrain, "All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all," acts as an anchor, grounding the listener in the central theological truth: that every facet of existence, both the grand and the minuscule, is a deliberate and loving act of creation by God.
The lyrical journey begins with the simple yet profound observation of nature's individual marvels – "Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings." This imagery directly echoes the psalmist’s encouragement to praise God, as seen in Psalm 104:24, which declares, "How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures." The song meticulously paints pictures of the vast ("The purple-headed mountains") and the flowing ("The river running by"), and then contrasts these with the celestial dance of day and night ("The sunset and the morning That brightens up the sky"). This deliberate juxtaposition highlights the omnipresent hand of God, encompassing all scales of His creation, from the monumental to the ephemeral. The inclusion of seasonal changes – "The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden" – further underscores the cyclical and abundant nature of God's provision, a theme that resonates with promises of His faithfulness throughout Scripture, such as in Genesis 8:22 which speaks of the enduring seasons.
What elevates this song beyond a simple appreciation of nature is its explicit connection to human perception and the spiritual imperative to acknowledge the Creator. The lines, "God gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well," are particularly significant. This speaks directly to the biblical understanding that humanity is endowed with the capacity for discernment and vocal testimony. The ability to perceive the wonders of creation and to articulate praise is presented not as an option, but as a divine gift, a responsibility to bear witness to God's greatness. This aligns with the prophetic call in Isaiah 43:7 to bring "everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." Jenkins' interpretation amplifies this sense of awe, encouraging a posture of humble gratitude and active worship, reminding us that our very senses are instruments for experiencing and proclaiming God's goodness, and that acknowledging His handiwork is a fundamental expression of faith and a testament to His perfect design.