University of Virginia Library

PSALM LXXXV.

Our eyes, great God, have seen thy grace
Its beams effuse on Jacob's race,
Loose from their chains the captive Band,
And call them to their native land.
Thy Mercy, Lord, their woes has heal'd,
Their trespass hid, their pardon seal'd,
Check'd in mid course thy dreadful ire,
And bid its kindled flames expire.
O grant us still thy Love to share;
God of our health! accept the pray'r,
That seeks thy clemency to win,
And cleanse, O cleanse us from our sin.
Say shall thy Wrath perpetual burn?
And wilt thou ne'er, appeas'd, return
Thy quick'ning influence to impart,
And wake to mirth each grateful heart,
While Israel's rescu'd Tribes in Thee
Their Bliss and full Salvation see?
No longer, heav'nly Sire, delay
Thy wonted Mercy to display,
But let thy All-disposing Will
Thy People's stedfast hope fulfill.
Rev'rent I wait, nor silence break,
Till Heav'n's high Lord his purpose speak.
What shall he speak, but Peace, to Thee,
O Israel? What, but Joy, decree
To Each whose heart his precept learns,
Nor back to folly's path returns?
Behold, Ye Souls that own his fear,
Behold Your wish'd Redemption near;
See Glory, bursting from the Skies,
O'er Judah's Land effulgent rise,
And fix amidst her coasts its seat;
There Verity and Mercy meet,
With mutual step advancing; There
Shall Peace and Justice, heav'nly Pair,
To lasting compact onward move,
Seal'd by the kiss of sacred Love.
Truth from thy furrows, Earth, shall spring,
And Righteousness, her healing wing
Expanded, downward cast her eye,
While Heav'n's great Monarch from on high
Shall crown th' expecting Lab'rer's toil,
And bless with full increase our soil:
She, as on earth thy feet shall tread,
Shall march direct, with lifted head
Preceding, and with duteous care
Thy path, eternal King, prepare.