The Cyber Hymnal ‎#10966

10966. From Whence These Dire Portents Around?

1 From whence these dire portents around,
That earth and Heav’n amaze?
Wherefore do earthquakes cleave the ground?
Why hides the sun his rays?

2 Not thus did Sinai’s trembling head
With sacred horror nod,
Beneath the dark pavilion spread
Of legislative God!

3 Thou earth, thy lowest center shake,
With Jesu sympathize!
Thou sun, as hell’s deep gloom be black,
’Tis thy creator dies!

4 What tongue the tortures can describe
Of this vindictive hour?
Wrath He alone had will to share
As He alone had power!

5 See streaming from th’accursèd tree
His all-atoning blood!
Is this the Infinite? ’Tis He!
My Savior and my God!

6 For me these pangs His soul assail,
For me the death is born!
My sin gave sharpness to the nail,
And pointed every thorn.

7 Let sin no more my soul enslave,
Break, Lord, the tyrant’s chain;
Oh, save me whom Thou cam’st to save,
Nor bleed nor die in vain!

Text Information

• First Line: From whence these dire portents around
• Title: From Whence These Dire Portents Around?
• Author: Samuel Wesley, Jr.
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Source: Poems on Several Occasions (London, E. Say, 1736)
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: ST. COLUMBA
• Meter: CM
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: Ancient Irish Tune
• Copyright: Public Domain