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 Desarts 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.