Thoughts in Verse :: :: University of Virginia Library

I will sing unto God, for great is His triumph,
The horse and his rider He hath overthrown!
The Lord is my song, my strength and my fortress,
With joy and thanksgiving His greatness I own.

The Lord is my God, and I will prepare Him
A place, that beside me He ever may dwell;

The God of my father, and I will exalt Him;
He leadeth His people, and doth all things well.

A warrior is He, as He marches to battle;
The Lord is His name; and a great God is He:
The chariots of Pharaoh—his pride and his glory,
With all his vast army are drowned in the sea.

The depths overwhelmed them, they sank to the bottom,
As lead in the waters they vanish from sight;
Thy right hand, O Lord, is in power become glorious,
Thy right hand, O Lord, hath destroyed them with might.

Thou sentest Thy wrath, as fire it consumed them;
The blast of Thy nostrils the waters divide;
As a heap stood the flood—Thy presence congealed them,—
A way of salvation Thy power didst provide.

The enemy shouted—come let us persue them!
With swift-footed coursers those aliens o'ertake,
My will and my lust shall be satisfied on them!
My sword I will draw and grim vengeance I'll take.

Thou didst blow with Thy wind, and the sea in obedience,
In fullness of strength to its channel returned;
They sank as a stone in the midst of the waters,
With grief and confusion Thy power they learned.

Who is like unto Thee in holiness glorious?
Who like unto Thee in Thy wisdom and power?
Thy praises are fearful, o'er all thou'rt victorious,
Thy wonders are manifest to us each hour.

Thou stretchedst thine hand and the earth owns allegiance
And quickly doth swallow the foes of the Lord.
Thine enemies perish when met by Thy vengeance,
They tremble in awe at the power of Thy word.

Thou hast led forth Thy people in wisdom and mercy—
The people whom Thou in Thy love hast redeemed.

Thou hast sent them deliverance, and guided them safely
To the place of Thy dwelling—most beautiful scene!

The people shall hear, and Thy fear shall possess them,
Each one shall be filled with amazement and awe;
Those of Palestina in deep lamentation
And sorrow, shall bow 'neath the ban of Thy law.

The rulers of Edom; the warriors of Moab,
Shall tremble and fear as Thy might they behold,—
And Canaan shall melt like the night mist before Thee;
The strength of Thy right arm no mortal has told!

The way Thou did'st make, and Thy people passed over;
The people which Thou in Thy mercy hast bought.
Thou shalt bring them in joy to Thy mountain most holy,
We shout in our gladness—Great things hath God wrought!

Thou shalt bring all Thy chosen, in peace to Thy temple,
And there with thanksgiving we'll praise Thee again.
The Lord is our King, our God, and our Saviour,—
The Lord shall reign o'er us forever, Amen.