Hymns for the National Fast, Hymn 7

Righteous, O Lord, Thy judgments are,
Yet let us plead with Thee,
Thy mercies manifold declare,
To stop Thy stern decree:
Before the word bring forth the woe.

And Thy uplifted hand
By sword and pestilence o'erthrow
Our execrated land.
If fully purposed to destroy.

Thou art in vengeance come.
Why dost Thou instruments employ
To bring Thy wanderers home?
Why doth Thy grace its work revive,
Converting us from sin?
And still we tind Thy Spirit strive.
Our worthless hearts to win.
Thy messengers run to and fro.

Believers are increased.
And thousands their Redeemer know,
With life eternal bless'd:
Lost sheep for half a century
Have flock'd into Thy fold;
And more are daily call'd by Thee,
And in Thy book enroU'd.
But didst Thou, Lord, Thy kingdom send.

Thy kingdom to remove,
To make of sinners a full end.
Excluded from Thy love?
Corrected, and chastised, we trust
Thou wilt not give us o'er.
But spare the wicked for the just,
And curse our land no more.
Out of the deep Thy call we wait
To bid our nation rise,
Aspiring to our first estate.

And by affliction wise;
That following after righteousness.

We may Thy grace retrieve.
Repent, believe, and go in peace.
And for Thy glory live.
For this ten thousand faithful souls
Are weeping round Thy throne,
And while Thy angry thunder rolls,
They in Thy Spirit groan:
We join the heaven-invading cry,
And mercy, mercy claim:
O let Thy bowels, Lord, reply.
We ask in Tesu's name!