Service Book and Hymnal of the Lutheran Church in America ‎#344a

344a. O God of earth and altar

1 O God of earth and altar,
Bow down and hear our cry,
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die;
The walls of gold entomb us,
The swords of scorn divide,
Take not thy thunder from us,
But take away our pride.

2 From all that terror teaches,
From lies of tongue and pen,
From all the easy speeches
That comfort cruel men,
From sale and profanation
Of honor, and the sword,
From sleep and from damnation,
Deliver us, good Lord! A-men.

3 Tie in a living tether
The prince and priest and thrall,
Bind all our lives together,
Smite us and save us all;
In ire and exultation,
Aflame with faith, and free,
Lift up a living nation,
A single sword to thee.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: O God of earth and altar
• Author: Gilbert Keith Chesterton, 1874-1936
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1958
• Topic: The Life in Christ: Petition and Intercession; Church Life and Work: City, Nation, World
• Copyright: Words by permission of the Oxford University Press.
• Notes: Now Public Domain in the United States

Tune Information

• Name: LLANGLOFFAN
• Key: g minor
• Source: Welsh Hymn Melody
• Copyright: Harmony from The Revised Church Hymnary by permission of the Oxford University Press