Scripture Verse

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest…shall not cease. Genesis 8:22

Introduction

Words: John Ell­er­ton, in The Hym­na­ry, 1870.

Music: St. An­drew (Thorne) Ed­ward H. Thorne, 1875 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Thorne (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
John Ellerton
1826–1893

Lyrics

God, Creator and Preserver!
God, who feedest man and beast;
God, whose tender mercy careth
For the weakest and the least;

If in former times of gladness,
In the fullness of our bread,
Harvest gifts to Thee we offered
Harvest songs to Thee we said;

Shall we not in trustful patience
Cast our care upon Thee now?
Shall we not in meek obedience
To Thy righteous judgments bow?

Though the earth withhold her increase,
Though the heaven restrain its dew,
Though his hand the reaper fill not,
Yet we know that Thou art true.

Not in vain the mighty promise,
From beneath the Bow of Peace,
Told us, while the earth remaineth,
Seed-time, harvest, shall not cease.

But our sins have stayed Thy blessing,
Our rebellions drawn Thy sword;
Pity now Thy mourning people;
Think upon Thy covenant, Lord.

So the sunshine of Thy bounty
Once again shall dry our tears;
And Thy gracious hand restore us
All our canker-eaten years.