University of Virginia Library


321

HYMN VI. MALACHI IV. 1.

O Lord of Hosts, to whom are known
Thy works of judgment and of grace,
If Thy great day is now begun,
And doth as a fierce furnace blaze,
The sons of pride shall be cast in,
And all the harden'd slaves of sin.
Exposed to Thy vindictive ire
The workers of iniquity,
As fuel for the quenchless fire,
As stubble, all burn'd up shall be,
(So doth Thy righteous will ordain,)
And neither root nor branch remain.
But we who truly fear Thy name,
And languish to attain Thy love,
May we not now Thy promise claim,
The light to bless us from above,
The Sun of Righteousness to rise,
The glory both of earth and skies.
O Sun of Righteousness, appear;
Appear with healing in Thy wings,
With grace which doth the mourners cheer,
Which pardon and salvation brings;
Which strong immortal health imparts,
And fills with love the fearful hearts.
Then shall we all go forth in peace,
And up to full perfection grow,
And strong in finish'd holiness
Trample on our infernal foe,

322

Till call'd the Saviour's throne to share,
We mount, and reign for ever there!