Our Great Redeemer's Praise ‎#517

517. Once to Every Man and Nation

1 Once to every man and nation
comes the moment to decide,
in the strife of truth with falsehood,
for the good or evil side;
Some great cause, some great decision,
off'ring each the bloom or blight,
and the choice goes by forever
'twixt that darkness and that light.

2 Then to side with truth is noble,
when we share her wretched crust,
ere her cause bring frame and profit,
and 'tis prosp'rous to be just;
Then it is the brave man chooses
while the coward stands aside,
till the multitude make virtue
of the faith they had denied.

3 By the light of burning martyrs,
Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track;
toiling up new Calv'ries ever
with the cross that turns not back.
New occasions teach new duties;
ancient values test our youth.
They must upward still and onward,
who would keep abreast of truth.

4 Though the cause of evil prosper,
yet the truth alone is strong;
though her portion be the scaffold,
and upon the throne be wrong;
yet that scaffold sways the future,
and, behind the dim unknown,
standeth God within the shadow
keeping watch above His own.

Text Information

• First Line: Once to ev'ry man and nation
• Title: Once to Every Man and Nation
• Author: James Russell Lowell (1845)
• Meter: 87.87 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2022
• Scripture:
  Joshua 24:14-15
  ;
  1 Kings 18:21
  ;
  Isaiah 58:1-14
  ;
  John 8:23-36
• Topic: Forgiveness of Sins: Invitation and Call; Prevenient Grace

Tune Information

• Name: EBENEZER
• Composer: Thomas J. Williams (1890)
• Meter: 87.87 D
• Key: e minor or modal