Our Nation Seemed To Ruin Doomed

1 Our nation seemed to ruin doomed,
Just like a burning brand;
Till snatched from fierce surrounding flames
By God’s indulgent hand.

2 "Once more," He says, "I will suppress
The wrath that sin would wake,
Once more My patience shall attend,
And call this nation back."

3 But who this clemency reveres?
Or feels this melting grace?
Who stirs his languid spirit up
To seek Thine awful face?

4 On days like these we pour our cries,
And at Thy feet we mourn;
Then rise to tempt Thy wrath again,
And to our sins return.

5 Our nation far from God remains,
Far, as in distant years;
And that small remnant which is left,
A dying aspect wears.

6 Now chastened, rescued thus in vain,
Thy righteous Hand severe
Into the flames might hurl us back,
And quite consume us there.

7 So by the light our burning gives
Might neighboring nations read.
How terrible Thy judgments are,
And learn our guilt to dread.

8 Yet, ’midst the cry of sins like ours,
Incline Thy gracious ear;
And Thine own children’s feeble cry
With soft compassion hear.

9 O by Thy sacred Spirit’s breath
Ignite a holy flame;
Refine the land that Thou has spared,
And magnify Thy name.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #12577

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #12577