Classic Poem

Part I.

H APPY sons of Israel,
Who in pleasant Canaan dwell,
Fill the air with shouts of joy,
Shouts redoubled from the sky!
Sing the Great Jehovah's praise,
Trophies to His glory raise,
Say, How wonderful Thy deeds!
Lord, Thy pow'r all pow'r exceeds!
Conquest on Thy sword doth sit,
Trembling foes through fear submit.
Let the many-peopled earth,
All of high and humble birth,
Worship our Eternal King,
Hymns unto His honour sing.
Come and see what God hath wrought,
Terrible to human thought,
He the billows did divide,
Wall'd with waves on either side,
While we passed safe and dry,
Then our souls were rapt with joy.
Endless His dominion,
All beholding from His throne,
Let not those who hate us most,
Let not the rebellious boast,
Bless the Lord; His praise be sung
While an ear can hear a tongue.
He our feet establisheth,
He our souls redeems from death.

Part II.

Lord, as silver purified,
Thou hast with affliction tried.
Thou hast driv'n into the net,
Burthens on our shoulders set.
Trod on by their horses' hooves,
Theirs whom pity never moves,
We through fire, with flames embrac'd,
We through raging floods have pass'd,
Yet by Thy conducting Hand
Brought into a wealthy land.
I will to Thy house repair,
Worship, and Thy pow'r declare.
Off'rings on Thy altar lay,
All my vows devoutly pay,
Utter'd with my heart and tongue
When oppress'd with pow'rful wrong.
Fatlings I will sacrifice,
Incense in perfumes shall rise,
Bullocks, shaggy goats and rams,
Offer'd up in sacred flames.
You who Great Jehovah fear,
Come, O come, you blest, and hear
What for me the Lord hath wrought,
Then, when near to ruin brought.
Fervently to Him I cried,
I His goodness magnified.
If I vices should affect,
Would not He my pray'rs reject?
But the Lord my pray'rs hath heard,
Which my tongue with tears preferr'd.
Source of mercy, be Thou blest,
That hast granted my request!