1 The GOD of our Salvation hears
The Groans of Sion mix'd with Tears;
Yet when he comes with kind Designs,
Through all the Way his Terror shines.
2 On him the Race of Man depends,
Far as the Earth's remotest Ends,
Where the Creator's Name is known,
By Nature's feeble Light alone.
3 Sailors, that travel o'er the Flood,
Address their frighted Souls to GOD,
When Tempests rage and Billows roar
At dreadful Distance from the Shore.
4 He bids the noisy Tempests cease;
He calms the raging Crowd to Peace,
When a tumultuous Nation raves
Wild as the Winds, and loud as Waves.
5 Whole Kingdoms shaken by the Storm,
He settles in a peaceful Form;
Mountains establish'd by his Hand,
Firm on their old Foundations stand.
6 Behold his Ensigns sweep the Sky,
New Comets blaze, and Lightnings fly;
The Heathen Lands, with swift Surprize,
From the bright Horrors turn their Eyes.
7 At his Command the Morning-Ray
Smiles in the East, and leads the Day,
He guides the Sun's declining Wheels
Over the Tops of Western Hills.
8 Seasons and Times obey his Voice;
The Ev'ning and the Morn rejoice
To see the Earth made soft with Show'rs,
Laden with Fruit, and drest in Flow'rs.
9 'Tis from his watry Stores on high
He gives the thirsty Ground Supply;
He walks upon the Clouds, and thence
Doth his enriching Drops dispense.
10 The Desert grows a fruitful Field,
Abundant Fruit the Vallies yield;
The Vallies shout with chearful Voice,
And neighb'ring Hills repeat their Joys.
11 The Pastures smile in green Array,
There Lambs and larger Cattle play;
The larger Cattle and the Lamb
Each in his Language speaks thy Name.
12 Thy Works pronounce thy Pow'r divine;
O'er every Field thy Glories shine;
Through ev'ry Month thy Gifts appear;
Great GOD, thy Goodness crowns the Year.