Looking to God in the Distress of War

1 Lord thou hast scourg'd our guilty land,
Behold thy people mourn;
Shall vengeance ever guide thy hand?
And mercy ne'er return?

2 Beneath the terrors of thine eye,
Earth's haughty tow'rs decay;
Thy frowning mantle spreads the sky,
And mortals melt away.

3 Our Zion trembles at thy stroke,
And dreads thy lifted hand;
Oh, heal the people thou hast broke,
And save the sinking land.

4 Exalt thy banner in the field,
For those that fear thy name;
From barb'rous hosts our nation shield,
And put our foes to shame.

5 Attend our armies to the fight,
And be their guardian God;
In vain shall num'rous pow'rs unite,
Against thy lifted rod.

6 Our troops beneath thy guiding hand,
Shall gain a glad renown:
'Tis God who makes the feeble stand,
And treads the mighty down.

Source: Church Hymn Book: consisting of newly composed hymns with the addition of hymns and psalms, from other authors, carefully adapted for the use of public worship, and many other occasions (1st ed.) #P.LX

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #14440