Hymnal: A Collection of Hymns and A Liturgy #180 (1814) Meter: 8.6.8.6 Lyrics: 1 Great God! the nations of the earth,
Are by creation thine;
And in thy works, by all beheld,
Thy radiant glories shine.
2 But, Lord, thy greater love has sent
Thy gospel to mankind,
Unveiling what rich stores of grace
Are treasur'd in thy mind.
3 Lord! When shall these glad tidings spread
The spacious earth around,
Till ev'ry tribe and ev'ry soul
Shall hear the joyful sound?
4 O when shall Afric's sable sons
Enjoy the heav'nly word,
And vassals long-enslav'd become
The freemen of the Lord?
5 When shall th' untutor'd heathen tribes,
A dark bewilder'd race,
Sit down at our Immanuel's feet,
And learn and feel his grace?
6 Haste, sov'reign mercy, and transform
Their cruelty to love;
Soften the tiger to a lamb,
The vulture to a dove.
7 Smile, Lord, on each divine attempt
To spread the gospel’s rays,
And build, on sin’s demolished throne,
The temples of thy praise. Topics: Kingdom and Church of Christ Languages: English
Great God! the nations of the earth