10966. From Whence These Dire Portents Around?

1 From whence these dire portents around,
That earth and Heav’n amaze?
Wherefore do earthquakes cleave the ground?
Why hides the sun his rays?

2 Not thus did Sinai’s trembling head
With sacred horror nod,
Beneath the dark pavilion spread
Of legislative God!

3 Thou earth, thy lowest center shake,
With Jesu sympathize!
Thou sun, as hell’s deep gloom be black,
’Tis thy creator dies!

4 What tongue the tortures can describe
Of this vindictive hour?
Wrath He alone had will to share
As He alone had power!

5 See streaming from th’accursèd tree
His all-atoning blood!
Is this the Infinite? ’Tis He!
My Savior and my God!

6 For me these pangs His soul assail,
For me the death is born!
My sin gave sharpness to the nail,
And pointed every thorn.

7 Let sin no more my soul enslave,
Break, Lord, the tyrant’s chain;
Oh, save me whom Thou cam’st to save,
Nor bleed nor die in vain!

Text Information
First Line: From whence these dire portents around
Title: From Whence These Dire Portents Around?
Author: Samuel Wesley, Jr.
Meter: CM
Language: English
Source: Poems on Several Occasions (London, E. Say, 1736)
Copyright: Public Domain
Tune Information
Name: ST. COLUMBA
Meter: CM
Key: E♭ Major
Source: Ancient Irish Tune
Copyright: Public Domain



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