Church Hymn Book ‎#P.XLIV

P.XLIV. Lord, we have heard thy works of old

1 Lord, we have heard thy works of old,
Thy works of pow'r and grace,
When to our ears our fathers told
The wonder of their days.

2 They saw the beaut'ous churches rise,
The spreading gospel run;
While light and glory from the skies
through all their temples shone.

3 In God they boasted all the day,
And in a cheerful throng
Did thousands meet to praise and pray,
And grace was all their song.

4 But now our souls are seiz'd with shame,
Confusion fills our face,
To hear the enemy blaspheme,
And fools reproach thy grace.

5 Yet have we not forgot our God,
Nor falsely dealt with heav'n,
Nor have our steps declin'd the road
Of duty thou hast giv’n.

6 Though dragons all around us roar
With their destructive breath,
And thine own hand has bruis'd us sore
Hard by the gates of death.

7 We are expos'd all day to die,
As martyrs for thy name;
As sheep for slaughter bound we lie,
And wait the kindling flame.

8 Awake, arise, almighty Lord,
Why sleeps Thy wonted grace?
Why should we look like men abhor'd,
Or banish'd from thy face?

9 Wilt thou for ever cast us off
And still neglect our cries:
For ever hide thine heav’nly love
From our afflicted eyes?

10 Down to the dust our soul is bow'd,
And dies upon the ground;
Rise for our help, rebuke the proud,
And all their pow'rs confound.

11 Redeem us from perpetual shame,
Our Saviour and our God;
We plead the honors of thy name,
The merits of thy blood.

Text Information

• First Line: Lord, we have heard thy works of old
• Meter: C. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1816
• Scripture:
  Psalm 44
• Topic: The Church's Complaint in Persecution

Tune Information

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