How great, how terrible that God,
Who shakes creation with His nod!
He frowns—earth, sea, all nature’s frame,
Sink in one universal flame.

Where now, O where shall sinners seek
For shelter in the general wreck?
Shall falling rocks be o’er them thrown?
See rocks, like snow, dissolving down!

In vain for mercy now they cry;
In lakes of liquid fire they lie;
There on the flaming billows tossed,
For ever—O, for ever lost!

But saints, undaunted and serene,
Your eyes shall view the dreadful scene;
Your Savior lives, the worlds expire;
And earth and skies dissolve in fire.

Jesus, the helpless creature’s friend,
To Thee my all I dare commend;
Thou canst preserve my feeble soul,
When lightnings blaze from pole to pole.