Text:O render Thanks and bless the Lord

CV. O render Thanks and bless the Lord

1 O render Thanks and bless the Lord;
invoke his sacred Name;
Acquaint the Nations with his Deeds,
his matchless Deeds proclaim.
2 Sing to his Praise, in lofty Hymns
his wondrous Works rehearse;
Make them the Theme of your Discourse,
and Subject of your Verse.

3 Rejoice in his Almighty Name,
alone to be ador'd;
And let their Hearts o'erflow with Joy,
that humbly see the Lord.
4 Seek ye the Lord, his saving Strength
devoutly still implore;
And where he's ever present, seek
his Face for evermore.

5 The Wonders that his Hands have wrought,
keep thankfully in Mind;
The righteous Statutes of his Mouth,
and Laws to us assign'd.
6 Know ye his Servant Abr'am's Seed
and Jacob's chosen Race,
7 He's still our God, his Judgments still
throughout the Earth take place.

8 His Cov'nant He hath kept in Mind
for num'rous Ages past,
Which yet for thousand Ages more,
in equal Force shall last.
9 First sign'd to Abr'am, next by Oath
to Isaac made secure;
10 To Jacob and his Heirs a Law
for ever to endure:

11 That Canaan's Land should be their Lot,
when yet but few they were:
12 But few in Number, and those few
all friendless Strangers there.
13 In Pilgrimage, from Realm to Realm,
securely they remov'd;
14 Whilst proudest Monarchs for their sakes,
severely He reprov'd:

15 "These mine Anointed are, said He,
"let none my Servants wrong,
"Nor treat the poorest Prophet ill
"that does to Me belong."
16 A Dearth at last, by his Command,
did through the Land prevail;
'Till Corn, the chief Support of Life,
sustaining Corn did fail.

17 But his indulgent Providence
had pious Joseph sent,
Sold into Egypt, but their Death
who sold him to prevent.
18 His Feet with heavy Chains were crush'd,
with Calumny his Fame:
19 'Till God's appointed Time and Word
to his Deliv'rance came.

20 The King his sov'reign Order sent,
and rescu'd him with Speed;
Whom private malice had confin'd,
the People's Ruler freed.
21 His Courts, Revenues, Realms, were all
subjected to his Will;
22 His greatest Princes to controul,
and teach his Statesmen Skill.

Part II

23 To Egypt then, invited Guests,
half-famish'd Isr'el came;
And Jacob held, by royal Grant,
the fertile Soil of Ham.
24 Th' Almighty there with such Increase
his People multiply'd,
'Till with their proud Oppressors they
in Strength and Number vy'd.

25 Their vast Increase th' Egyptian Hearts
with jealous Anger fir'd,
'Till they his Servants to destroy
by treach'rous Arts conspir'd.
26 His Servant Moses then He sent,
his chosen Aaron too;
27 Impower'd with Signs and Miracles
to prove their Mission true.

28 He call'd for Darkness, Darkness came,
Nature his Summons knew;
29 Each Stream and Lake, transform'd to Blood,
the wand'ring Fishes slew.
30 In putrid Floods, throughout the Land,
the Pest of Frogs was bred;
From noisome Fens sent up to croak
at Pharaoh's Board and Bed.

31 He gave the Sign, and Swarms of Flies
came down in cloudy Hosts;
Whilst Earth's enlivin'd Dust below
bread Lice through all their Coasts.
32 He sent them batt'ring Hail for Rain,
and Fire for cooling Dew.
33 He smote their Vines, and Forest Plants,
and Garden's Pride o'erthrew.

34 He spake the Word, and Locusts came,
and Caterpillars join'd;
They prey'd upon the poor Remains
the Storm had left behind.
35 From Trees to Herbage they descend,
no verdant Thing they spare;
But like the naked fallow Field,
leave all the Pastures bare.

36 From Fields to Villages and Towns,
commission'd Vengeance slew;
One fatal Stroke their eldest Hopes
and Strength of Egypt flew.
37 He brought his Servants forth, enrich'd
with Egypt's borrow'd Wealth;
And, what transcends all Treasures else,
enrich'd with vig'rous Health.

38 Egypt rejoic'd, in hopes to find
her Plagues with them remov'd;
Taught dearly now to fear worse Ills
by those already prov'd.
39 Their shrouding Canopy by Day
a journeying Cloud was spread:
A fiery Pillar all the Night
their desart Marches led.

40 They long'd for Flesh; with Ev'ning Quails
He furnish'd ev'ry Tent:
From Heav'n's own Granary, each Morn,
the Bread of Angels sent.
41 He smote the Rock; whose flinty Breast
pour'd forth a gushing Tide,
Whose flowing Stream, where'er they march'd,
the Desart's Drought supply'd.

42 For still He did on Abr'am's Faith
and ancient League reflect;
43 He brought his People forth with Joy,
with Triumph his dlect.
44 Quite rooting out their heathen Foes
from Canaan's fertile Soil,
To them in cheap Possession gave
the Fruit of others Toil:

45 That they his Statutes might observe,
his sacred Laws obey.
For Benefits so fast, let us
our Songs of Praise repay.

Text Information
First Line: O render Thanks and bless the Lord
Language: English
Publication Date: 1760
Scripture:
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