Psalm 8 is a song that reflects on humanity's place in the vastness of God's creation. It acknowledges that while humans are mortal beings of small stature, God entrusted humans with caring for the earth and all its inhabitants. The song praises God as the creator and lover of all things, both seen and unseen. It asks God to breathe new life into the singer so that they may love all that God loves and do God's will.

1. Psalm 8 The Song of Mortal Beings Psalm text from Ancient Songs Sung Anew by Lynn Bauman, adapted by Linnea Good Hymn Lyrics by Edwin Hatch 1835-89 Music originally Aaron Williams “ Psalmody in Miniature”, London 1778

2. Breathe on me, breath of God Fill me with life anew That I may love all that you love And do what you would do.

3. One: O God, the beauty of your name fills all the earth All: The prayers of all people rise up to you. One: When I lift my eyes to see you, I see the height of heaven itself - a book of beauty your fingers wrote All: I see through veils of stars and space the canopy of sun and moon you set in place

4. One: Who are we to stand before all this and see? All: Do you see us - and do you care? One: Yes, we are mortal beings set in this world All: We are creatures of earth, living beneath the splendour of transcendent space.

5. Breathe on me, breath of God Till I am wholly thine Until this earthly part of me Glows with thy fire divine.

6. One: You placed us here, entrusted the earth to our caring hands All: You bid us cherish all you have made - all beasts and creatures of the wild One: The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, the plants - all that has form and being All: So, we sing this song of praise to you, O Creator and Lover of all that is - seen and unseen.

7. Breathe on me, breath of God So shall I never die But live with thee the perfect life Of thine eternity.