Scripture Verse

O God, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast scattered us, Thou hast been displeased; O turn Thyself to us again. Psalm 60:1

Introduction

portrait
Joel Barlow (1754–1812)

Words: Jo­el Bar­low, Psalms Car­eful­ly Suit­ed to the Chris­tian Wor­ship in the Unit­ed States of Am­er­ica, Be­ing Dr. Watts’ Imi­ta­tion of the Psalms of Da­vid, as Im­proved by Mr. Bar­low (Hart­ford, Con­nec­ti­cut: Na­than­iel Pat­ten, print­er, 1785), pag­es 104–05, alt. Look­ing to God in the Dis­tress of War.

Music: Old Mar­tyrs Psalms (Ed­in­burgh, Scot­land: 1615) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

Lyrics

Lord Thou hast scourged our guilty land,
Behold Thy people mourn;
Shall vengeance ever guide Thy hand?
And mercy ne’er return?

Beneath the terrors of Thine eye,
Earth’s haughty towers decay;
Thy frowning mantle spreads the sky,
And mortals melt away.

Our Zion trembles at Thy stroke,
And dreads Thy lifted hand!
Oh, heal the people Thou hast broke,
And save the sinking land.

Exalt Thy banner in the field,
For those that fear Thy name;
From barbarous hosts our nation shield,
And put our foes to shame.

Attend our armies to the fight,
And be their guardian God;
In vain shall numerous powers unite,
Against Thy lifted rod.

Our troops beneath Thy guiding hand,
Shall gain a glad renown:
’Tis God who makes the feeble stand,
And treads the mighty down.