Classic Poem

Part I.

L ET God, the God of battle, rise
And scatter His proud enemies.
O let them flee before His Face,
Like smoke which driving tempests chase.
As wax dissolves with scorching fire,
So perish in His burning ire.
But let the just with joy abound,
In joyful songs His praise resound,
Who, riding on the rolling spheres,
The Name of Great Jehovah bears.
Before His Face your joys express,
A Father to the fatherless.
He wipes the tears from widows' eyes,
The single plants in families,
Enlarging those who late were bound,
While rebels starve on thirsty ground.
When He our num'rous army led,
And march'd through deserts full of dread,
Heav'n melted, and earth's centre shook,
With His majestic presence strook.
When Israel's God in clouds came down,
High Sinai bow'd his trembling crown.

Part II.

He in th' approach of meagre dearth
With show'rs refresh'd the fainting earth;
Where His own flock in safety fed,
The needy unto plenty led.
By Him we conquer. Virgins sing
Our victories, and timbrels ring.
He kings with their vast armies foils,
While women share their wealthy spoils.
You, who among the pots have lain
In soot and smoke, shall shine again
Bright as the silver-feather'd dove,
Whose wings with golden splendour move.
When He the kings had overthrown,
Our land like snowy Salmon shone.
God's mountain Bashan's mount transcends,
Though he his many heads extends.
Why boast you so, ye meaner hills?
God with His glory Sion fills;
This His beloved residence,
Nor ever will depart from hence.

Part III.

His chariots twenty thousand were,
Which myriads of angels bear;
He in the midst, as when He crown'd
High Sinai's sanctified ground.
Lord, Thou Thyself hast rais'd on high,
Thou captivat'st captivity.
Deck'd with the trophies of His foes,
The gifts receiv'd on His bestows.
Reducing those who did rebell,
That both might in His Sion dwell.
O praised be the God of gods,
Who His with daily blessings loads;
The God of our salvation,
On Whom our hopes depend alone.
The controverse of life and death
Is arbitrated by His breath.
He on their heads His foes shall wound,
Their hairy scalps, whose sins abound,
And in their trespasses proceed.
Thus spake Jehovah: Jacob's seed
I will from Bashan bring again,
And through the bottom of the main,
That dogs may lap their enemies' blood,
And they wade through a crimson flood.

Part IV.

We in Thy sanctuary late,
My God, my King, behold Thy state,
The sacred singers march'd before;
Who instruments of music bore
In order follow'd; ev'ry maid
Upon her pleasant timbrel play'd.
His praise in your assemblies sing,
You, who from Israel's fountain spring.
Nor little Benjamin alone,
But Judah from his mountain throne;
The far removed Zebulun;
And Naphtali which borders on
Old Jordan, where his stream dilates;
Join'd all their pow'rs and potentates.
For us His winged soldiers fought.
Lord, strengthen what Thy Hand hath wrought.
He that supports a diadem,
To thee, divine Jerusalem,
Shall in devotion treasure bring,
To build the temple of his King.

Part V.

Break through their pikes, the multitude
Of bulls with savage strength indu'd,
Till they with gifts sweet peace invite;
But scatter those whom wars delight.
Far off from sunburnt Meroi,
From falling Nilus, from the sea
Which beats on the Egyptian shore,
Shall princes come, and here adore.
You kingdoms, through the world renown'd,
Sing to the Lord, His praise resound,
He who heav'n's upper heav'n bestrides,
And on her aged shoulders rides.
Whose Voice the clouds asunder rends,
In thunder terrible descends.
O praise His strength Whose majesty
In Israel shines, His pow'r on high.
He from His sanctuary throws
A trembling horror on His foes,
While us His pow'r and strength invest.
O Israel, praise the Ever-blest.