1 Lord, we have heard thy works of old,
Thy works of pow'r and grace,
When to our ears our fathers told
The wonder of their days.
2 They saw the beaut'ous churches rise,
The spreading gospel run;
While light and glory from the skies
through all their temples shone.
3 In God they boasted all the day,
And in a cheerful throng
Did thousands meet to praise and pray,
And grace was all their song.
4 But now our souls are seiz'd with shame,
Confusion fills our face,
To hear the enemy blaspheme,
And fools reproach thy grace.
5 Yet have we not forgot our God,
Nor falsely dealt with heav'n,
Nor have our steps declin'd the road
Of duty thou hast giv’n.
6 Though dragons all around us roar
With their destructive breath,
And thine own hand has bruis'd us sore
Hard by the gates of death.
7 We are expos'd all day to die,
As martyrs for thy name;
As sheep for slaughter bound we lie,
And wait the kindling flame.
8 Awake, arise, almighty Lord,
Why sleeps Thy wonted grace?
Why should we look like men abhor'd,
Or banish'd from thy face?
9 Wilt thou for ever cast us off
And still neglect our cries:
For ever hide thine heav’nly love
From our afflicted eyes?
10 Down to the dust our soul is bow'd,
And dies upon the ground;
Rise for our help, rebuke the proud,
And all their pow'rs confound.
11 Redeem us from perpetual shame,
Our Saviour and our God;
We plead the honors of thy name,
The merits of thy blood.
Source: Church Hymn Book: consisting of newly composed hymns with the addition of hymns and psalms, from other authors, carefully adapted for the use of public worship, and many other occasions (1st ed.) #P.XLIV
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