History & Politics

A Prayer for King George

by Charles Wesley 1707–1788

From Miscellaneous Hymns and Poems · Osborn ed., vol. 8 (1870)

History & Politics

Why do the christen'd heathens rage.
And furiously their powers engage.
Against the Lord most high,
Against His dread vicegerent here,
Cast off the yoke of loyal fear.
And God Himself defy?

Counsel they take, but not by Thee,
Great King of kings, whose firm decree
Supports the British throne,
Through whom our rightful monarch reigns
Thy sovereign character sustains,
And bows to Thee alone.

Thine eye observes, Thy Spirit knows
His open and his secret foes,
Who deep their plots conceal,
As zealous for their country's good
Stir up the undiscerning crowd,
And make a league with hell.
Inserted in the " Arminian Magazine" for 1780, p. 677.

But Thou, without the help of man,
Canst all their fiercest wrath restrain,
And all their plots confound,
Canst on our king Thy blessings shed,
And cover his anointed head,
With lasting glories crown'd.

Answering in us Thy Spirit's cries,
Now, Lord, in his defence arise;
ith majesty supreme
Adorn the man of Thy right hand.
That all may bless his mild command,
And honour Thee in him.

Long may he here Thy image live,
Thy kingdom in his heart receive.
Spiritual joys unknown;
Earnest of joys that never end,
And late with all Thy saints ascend.
To fill a heavenly throne.

MLA

Wesley, Charles. “A Prayer for King George.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wesley_c/2367/.

Chicago

Wesley, Charles. “A Prayer for King George.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wesley_c/2367/.

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