這首幾乎所有主日學小朋友都會唱的聖詩，是由美國長老會牧師馬爾比巴柏克作詞。 巴柏克熱愛大自然，喜歡將他的感受寫成詩歌，但都沒有正式發行。直到1901年，巴柏克赴聖地旅行途中過世，他的妻子凱瑟琳才整理他寫過的許多詩歌並刊印。巴柏克的好友Franklin Sheppard於1915年為『這是天父世界』作曲，後由Edward Barnes編曲。
馬爾比巴柏克(Maltbie D. Babcock1858-1901)畢業於紐約州西拉鳩斯大學和奧本神學院，學生時代擔任足球隊長，是一位傑出的運動員，游泳健將，他又有很好的音樂天賦，彈奏管風琴和多種樂器，又是學校樂隊指揮，畢業後在紐約洛克波特長老會第一會所牧會，1886年到馬利蘭州布朗紀念教會牧會。由於他非常能夠激勵人心，因此經常受邀到全美各大學証道和演講，他有許多名言，至今仍常被人引用。
美國一位著名的演講家和作家，約翰‧麥斯威爾(John C. Maxwell) 在他的著作中多次引用巴柏克的話，其中：
Success is knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others.
成功是了解你人生的目標，成長以達到你最大的潛力，以及散播加惠他人的種子。
我相信，基督徒的人生目標就是「傳揚福音到普天下」。只要我們盡了力，就是成功；其餘的，都在神的手中。
Words: Maltbie D. Babcock, 1901, alt. While a pastor in Lockport, New York, Babcock liked to hike in an area called “the escarpment,” an ancient upthrust ledge near Lockport. It has a marvelous view of farms, orchards, and Lake Ontario, about 15 miles distant. It is said those walks in the woods inspired these lyrics. The title recalls an expression Babcock used when starting a walk: “I’m going out to see my Father’s world.”
By Michael Curb Congregation
Michael Curb (born December 24, 1944, in Savannah, Georgia) is an American musician, record company executive, NASCAR and IRL race car owner. A Republican, he served as the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of California from 1979 to 1983 under Democratic Governor Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown, Jr. He was acting governor of California while Brown spent time outside of California pursuing presidential ambitions. He is also the founder of Curb Records as well as an inductee of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame.
By Indiana Wesleyan University Chorale
Lyrics
| This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought. This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise, The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise. This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair; In the rustling grass I hear Him pass; He speaks to me everywhere. This is my Father’s world. O let me never forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done: Jesus Who died shall be satisfied, And earth and Heav’n be one. This is my Father’s world, dreaming, see His face. I open my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, “The Lord is in this place.” This is my Father’s world, from the shining courts above, The Beloved One, His Only Son, Came—a pledge of deathless love. This is my Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad? The lord is King—let the heavens ring. God reigns—let the earth be glad. This is my Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound, For dear to God is the earth Christ trod. No place but is holy ground. This is my Father’s world. I walk a desert lone. In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known. This is my Father’s world, a wanderer I may roam Whate’er my lot, it matters not, My heart is still at home. |
這是天父世界:我們側耳要聽
宇宙唱歌四圍響應 星辰作樂同聲 這是天父世界:我心滿有安甯 樹木花草 蒼天碧海 萬物主手造成 這是天父世界:小鳥讚美歌聲 清晨明亮 好花美麗 同頌造物功深 這是天父世界:衪愛普及萬千 風吹之草, 將衪表現 天父充滿世間 這是天父世界:求主叫我不忘 罪惡雖然好像得勝 天父卻仍掌管 這是天父世界:我心不必憂傷 上主是王, 天地同唱 歌聲充滿萬方. |