The Psalms of David ‎#II.LIII

II.LIII. Lord! what a wretched Land is this

1 Lord! what a wretched Land is this,
That yields us no Supply;
No chearing Fruits, no wholesome Trees,
Nor Streams of living Joy.

2 But pricking Thorns through all the Ground,
And mortal Poisons grow,
And all the Rivers that are found,
With dang'rous Waters flow.

3 Yet the dear Path to thine Abode
Lies through this horrid Land,
Lord! we would keep the heav'nly Road,
And run at thy Command.

[4 Our Souls shall tread the Desart through
With undiverted Feet;
And Faith and flaming Zeal subdue
The Terrors that we meet.]

[5 A thousand savage Beasts of Prey
Around the Forest roam,
But Judah's Lion guards the Way,
And guides the Strangers Home.]

[6 Long Nights and Darkness dwell below,
With scarce a twinkling Ray;
But the bright World to which we go
Is everlasting Day.]

[7 By glimmering Hopes and gloomy Fears
We trace the sacred Road;
Thro' dismal Deeps and dang'rous Snares
We make our Way to God.]

8 Our Journey is a thorny Maze,
But we march upward still,
Forget these Troubles of the Ways,
And reach at Sion's Hill.

[9 See the kind Angels at the Gates,
Inviting us to come;
There Jesus the Fore-runner waits
To welcome Trav'lers Home.]

10 There on a green and flow'ry Mount
Our weary Souls shall sit,
And with transporting Joys recount
The Labours of our Feet.

[11 No vain Discourse shall fill our Tongue,
Nor Trifles vex our Ear,
Infinite Grace shall be our Song,
And God rejoice to hear.]

12 Eternal Glories to the King
That brought us safely through;
Our Tongue shall never cease to sing,
And endless Praise renew.

Text Information

• First Line: Lord! what a wretched Land is this
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1766
• Topic: Dangers of our earthly Pilgrimage; Earth and Heaven; Pilgrimage of the Saints; Christian Race; Society in Heaven blessed; Spiritual Pilgrimage

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