The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. Containing, besides his Sermons, and Essays on miscellaneous subjects, several additional pieces, Selected from his Manuscripts by the Rev. Dr. Jennings, and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, in 1753: to which are prefixed, memoirs of the life of the author, compiled by the Rev. George Burder. In six volumes |
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PSALM 74. (C. M.) The Church pleading with God under sore Persecutions.
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 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
PSALM 74. (C. M.) The Church pleading with God under sore Persecutions.
I
Will God for ever cast us off?His wrath for ever smoke
Against the people of his love,
His little chosen flock?
II
Think of the tribes so dearly boughtWith their Redeemer's blood;
Nor let thy Sion be forgot,
Where once thy glory stood.
III
Lift up thy feet and march in haste,Aloud our ruin calls;
See what a wide and fearful waste
Is made within thy walls.
IV
Where once thy churches pray'd and sang,Thy foes prophanely roar;
Over thy gates their ensigns hang,
Sad tokens of their power.
V
How are the seats of worship broke!They tear the buildings down,
And he that deals the heaviest stroke
Procures the chief renown.
VI
With flames they threaten to destroyThy children in their nest;
‘Come let us burn at once,’ they cry,
‘The temple and the priest.’
VII
And still to heighten our distressThy presence is withdrawn;
Thy wonted signs of power and grace,
Thy power and grace are gone.
VIII
No prophet speaks to calm our woes,But all the seers mourn;
There's not a soul amongst us knows
The time of thy return.
IX
How long, eternal God, how longShall men of pride blaspheme?
Shall saints be made their endless song,
And bear immortal shame?
X
Canst thou for ever sit and hearThine holy name profan'd?
And still thy jealousy forbear,
And still withhold thine hand?
XI
What strange deliverance hast thou shownIn ages long before!
And now no other God we own,
No other God adore.
XII
Thou didst divide the raging sea,By thy resistless might,
To make thy tribes a wondrous way,
And then secure their flight.
XIII
Is not the world of nature thine,The darkness and the day?
Didst thou not bid the morning shine,
And mark the sun his way?
XIV
Hath not thy power form'd every coast,And set the earth its bounds,
With summer's heat and winter's frost,
In their perpetual rounds?
XV
And shall the sons of earth and dustThat sacred power blaspheme?
Will not thy hand that form'd them first
Avenge thine injur'd name?
XVI
Think on the covenant thou hast made,And all thy words of love;
Nor let the birds of prey invade
And vex thy mourning dove.
XVII
Our foes would triumph in our blood,And make our hope their jest;
Plead thy own cause, almighty God!
And give thy children rest.
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |