1 When GOD, provok'd with daring crimes,
Scourages 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' oppresy and poor repair,
And build 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 unfence'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 wondrous dealings of the Lord?
But wise observers still shall find
The Lord is holy, just, and kind.
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