Unto thy Zion, Lord, return

1 Unto thy Zion, Lord, return,
And pardon all her crimes:
Well we deserve to weep and mourn,
In these distressing times.

2 Lord, hast thou bid thy gracious face
From thy dear church below,
Who is an object of disgrace,
Deserving to be so.

3 We are like as the parched lands,
And as the barren field:
Where all the force of lab'ring hands
but thorns and briers yield.

4 Thy gospel word is much despis'd,
And held in mere disdain;
The world and Satan have devis'd,
To make thy gospel vain.

5 How few and feeble are thy saints,
How full of doubts and fears!
The world our best devotion taints,
And mingles with our pray'rs.

6 And when we join to sing and pray,
And wait on thee our Lord;
Then Satan draws our minds away,
When we should hear thy word.

7 Return dear Lord, with mighty pow'r,
Thy gospel work revive;
Thy dying church to life restore,
In thee to grow and thrive.

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.) #CCCIX