If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence…if My people…humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:13–14
Words: Thomas T. Lynch, The Rivulet, third edition, enlarged (London: Longmans, Green, Reader & Dyer, 1868), number 163.
Music: Louella in Harmonia Sacra, by Joseph Funk, 12th edition, 1867 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
If you know where to get a good picture of Funk (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
With many a swift and crashing stroke
From clouds, the frigates of the sky,
Huge solemn-sailing clouds, there broke
Victorious bursts of energy.
The lance-like rain, the darting hail,
These rushed and ceased, while round about
The sulfurous lightnings, red or pale,
Gleamed and led on the rolling shout.
I saw the glorious battle-show,
The Lord came down, and for us fought;
Blights and diseases were the foe;
Great was the victory He wrought.
Now breathes a tranquil, buoyant air;
Nature oppressed is calm and free;
O storm, thy sounds of terror were
The signals of thy victory.
One general pleasure of release
Pervades today the earth and sky;
Bright quiet clouds, like ships of peace,
The airy ocean beautify.
While anchored on the horizon far,
Dark, battle-broken clouds attest
The sharpness of that heavenly war
By which they purchased us our rest.