 | Greenland (1819) |  |
172
THE CHRISTIAN ISRAEL.
Thus far on Life's perplexing path,
Thus far the Lord our steps hath led;
Safe from the world's pursuing wrath,
Unharm'd through floods hung o'er our head;
Here then we pause, look back, adore,
Like ransom'd Israel from the shore.
Thus far the Lord our steps hath led;
Safe from the world's pursuing wrath,
Unharm'd through floods hung o'er our head;
Here then we pause, look back, adore,
Like ransom'd Israel from the shore.
Strangers and pilgrims here below,
As all our fathers in their day,
We to a Land of Promise go,
Lord! by thine own appointed way;
Still guide, illumine, cheer our flight,
In cloud by day, in fire by night.
As all our fathers in their day,
We to a Land of Promise go,
Lord! by thine own appointed way;
Still guide, illumine, cheer our flight,
In cloud by day, in fire by night.
173
Protect us through this wilderness
From serpent plague, and hostile rage;
With bread from heaven our table bless,
With living streams our thirst assuage;
Nor let our rebel-hearts repine,
Or follow any voice but Thine.
From serpent plague, and hostile rage;
With bread from heaven our table bless,
With living streams our thirst assuage;
Nor let our rebel-hearts repine,
Or follow any voice but Thine.
Thy righteous laws to us proclaim,
But not from Sinai's top alone;
Hid in the rock-clift, be thy name,
Thy power, and all thy goodness shewn;
And may we never bow the knee
To any other gods but Thee.
But not from Sinai's top alone;
Hid in the rock-clift, be thy name,
Thy power, and all thy goodness shewn;
And may we never bow the knee
To any other gods but Thee.
Thy presence with us move or rest;
—And as the eagle, o'er her brood,
Flutters her pinions, stirs the nest,
Covers, defends, provides them food,
Bears on her wings, instructs to fly;
—Thus, thus prepare us for the sky.
—And as the eagle, o'er her brood,
Flutters her pinions, stirs the nest,
Covers, defends, provides them food,
Bears on her wings, instructs to fly;
—Thus, thus prepare us for the sky.
174
When we have number'd all our years,
And stand at length on Jordan's brink,
Though the flesh fail with human fears,
Oh! let not then the spirit shrink,
But strong in faith, and hope, and love,
Plunge through the stream,—to rise above.
And stand at length on Jordan's brink,
Though the flesh fail with human fears,
Oh! let not then the spirit shrink,
But strong in faith, and hope, and love,
Plunge through the stream,—to rise above.
| Greenland (1819) | |