Dr. Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David ‎#238

238. When God, provok'd with daring crimes

1 When God, provok'd with daring crimes,
Scourges the madness of the times,
He turns their fields to barren sand,
And dries the rivers from the land.

2 His word can raise the springs again,
And make the wither'd mountains green,
Send show'ry blessings from the skies,
And harvests in the desert rise.

3 [Where nothing dwelt but beasts of prey,
Or men as fierce and wild as they;
He bids th' opprest and poor repair,
And builds them towns and cities there.

4 They sow the fields, and trees they plant,
Whose yearly fruit supplies their want:
Their race grows up from fruitful stocks,
Their wealth increases with their flocks.

5 Thus they are blest; but if they sin,
He lets the heathen nations in;
A savage crew invades their lands,
Their princes die by barb'rous hands.

6 Their captive sons, expos'd to scorn,
Wander unpity'd and forlorn;
The country lies unfenc'd, untill'd,
And desolation spreads the field.

7 Yet if the humbled nation mourns,
Again his dreadful hand he turns,
Again he makes their cities thrive,
And bids the dying churches live.]

8 The righteous, with a joyful sense,
Admire the works of Providence,
And tongues of atheists shall no more
Blaspheme the God that saints adore.

9 How few with pious care record
These wond'rous dealings of the Lord!
But wise observers still shall find
The Lord is holy, just and kind.

Text Information

• First Line: When God, provok'd with daring crimes
• Meter: L. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1790
• Scripture:
  Psalm 107
• Notes: Last Part

Tune Information

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