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Hymnal: Doctor Watts's imitation of the Psalms of David, to which is added a collection of hymns; the whole applied to the state of the Christian Church in general (3rd ed.) #140a (1786) Scripture: Psalm 79 First Line: Behold, O God, what cruel foes Lyrics: 1 Behold, O God, what cruel foes,
Thy peaceful heritage invade;
Thy holy temple stands defil'd,
In dust thy sacred walls are laid.
2 Wide o'er the vallies drench'd in blood,
Thy people fall'n in death remain;
The fowls of heaven their flesh devour,
And savage beasts divide the slain.
3 Th' insulting foes, with impious rage,
Reproach thy children to their face;
"Where is your God of boasted power,
"And where the promise of his grace."
4 Deep from the prison's horrid glooms,
Oh hear the mournful captives sigh,
And let thy sovereign power reprieve,
The trembling souls condemn'd to die.
5 Let those, who dar'd insult thy reign,
Return dismay'd with endless shame,
While heathens, who thy grace despise,
Shall from thy vengeance learn thy name.
6 So shall thy children, freed from death,
Eternal songs of honour raise,
And every future age shall tell,
Thy sovereign power and pardoning grace. Topics: Hope in darkness; Hope and despair in death; Hope in darkness; Hope and despair in death Languages: English
For the Distress of War