Scripture Verse

I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember My covenant between Me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Genesis 9:13–15

Introduction

portrait
Uzziah C. Burnap
1834–1900

Words: Ben­ja­min Bed­dome (1717–1795). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Adapt­ed to Pub­lic Wor­ship (Lon­don: Bu­rton & Briggs, 1818), num­ber 727, alt. Threat­en­ing Rain.

Music: De­witt Uz­zi­ah C. Bur­nap, 1870 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Bed­dome (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

illustration
Noah Giving Thanks
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Lyrics

Raise not Thy hand in judgment, Lord,
[originally, Enter not into judgment, Lord]
 With us, a guilty race;
Thy needful succor now afford,
And help us in distress.

Let not the waterspouts descend,
Nor burst upon our plains;
But in Thy mercy condescend
To stay the sweeping rains.

Command the clouded sun to shine,
And shed a constant ray;
Directed by a hand divine,
Our night shall turn to day.

Oh let its fructifying beam,
The precious grain mature;
And we Thy goodness will proclaim,
Whose promise shall endure.

Wonder and love shall tune our tongues,
For all Thy kindness shown,
While thankful we in joyful songs,
Thy gracious hand will own.