The Hymnbook ‎#511

511. O God of Earth and Altar

1 O God of earth and altar,
Bow down and hear our cry;
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die;
The walls of gold entomb us,
The swords of scorn divide;
Take not Thy thunder from us,
But take away our pride.

2 From all that terror teaches,
From lies of tongue and pen;
From all the easy speeches
That comfort cruel men;
From sale and profanation
Of honor and the sword;
From sleep and from damnation,
Deliver us, good Lord!

3 Tie in a living tether
The prince and priest and thrall;
Bind all our lives together,
Smite us and save us all;
In ire and exultation
Aflame with faith, and free,
Lift up a living nation,
A single sword to Thee.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: O God of earth and altar
• Title: O God of Earth and Altar
• Author: Gilbert K. Chesterton (1906)
• Meter: 7. 6. 7. 6. D.
• Publication Date: 1955
• Scripture:
  2 Chronicles 7:14
  ;
  Job 5:19
  ;
  Psalm 119:67
• Topic: Memorial Day; Nation, The; Kingdom of God on Earth, The: Nation, The
• Copyright: Words copyright. Reprinted from The English Hymnal by permission of Oxford University Press.

Tune Information

• Name: LLANGLOFFAN
• Meter: 7. 6. 7. 6. D.
• Key: g minor