The Cyber Hymnal ‎#8179

8179. God Bids, And Lo!

1 God bids, and lo! a burning waste,
Where rolled the floods before,
And, touched by the descending blast,
The springs are seen no more.

2 Sad witness of some dire offense,
Behold the fertile soil
No more its wonted gifts dispense,
But mock the tiller’s toil.

3 He bids, and o’er the desert wide
The liquid lake is spread;
New springs the thirsty earth divide,
And murmuring lift the head.

4 There myriads, late with hunger wan,
By Him assembled, meet;
There pleased the future city plan,
And fix their sure retreat.

5 And now they sow the foodful grain,
The tender vine they rear;
Now waves the harvest o’er the plain,
And plenty crowns the year.

6 Blest in His care, the sires with joy
A numerous race behold;
Nor dares disease their herds annoy,
Or waste the peopled fold.

7 His works attentive while it sees,
The Heav’n-instructed mind
Shall own, how equal His decrees,
His providence, how kind!

Text Information

• First Line: God bids, and lo! a burning waste
• Title: God Bids, And Lo!
• Author: James Merrick, 1720-1769
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: WINDSOR
• Composer: Christopher Tye (1533)
• Meter: CM
• Key: g minor
• Source: Arranged in Booke of Musicke, by William Daman, 1591.
• Copyright: Public Domain