Classic Poem

1.

O Israel 's Father, King, and God!
The Heathen Pow'rs thy lov'd abode
Rapacious seize; the Heathen Pow'rs
Thy shrine profane; and Salem 's Tow'rs
That struck with sacred awe the eye,
Now whelm'd in wide confusion lie.

2.

Beasts, and each Bird that wings the air,
Thy slaughter'd Saints insatiate tear,
Whose blood beneath the Victor's sword
In streams round Salem 's walls was pour'd;
None wept their fall, or pitying gave
The cheap indulgence of a grave.

3.

See on our heads each neighbour Foe
Reproach and fierce derision throw;
See, Lord, and say how long thine ire
Shall blaze with unextinguish'd fire,
How long thy Flock are doom'd to prove
The sad suspension of thy Love.

4.

On Nations who thy Laws disown,
Nor yet, with humbled heart, have known
Thy Pow'r to fear, thy Name invoke,
On These, great God, inflict thy stroke;
On These, — who Jacob 's strength devour,
And ruin on his Dwelling pour.

5.

O let not our transgressions past
Within thy breast remember'd last,
But haste, while helpless thus we grieve,
Thy long-lost People to relieve,
And Israel 's trespass purg'd away
Thy boundless clemency display.

6.

Blest Saviour! Let thy pow'r divine
Conspicuous in our rescue shine;
Say, why should the reproaching Foe
His triumphs build on Judah 's woe,
And ask, while thus thy scourge we bear,
" Where's now your God, ye Outcasts, where? "

7.

Behold, behold thy Servants slain;
Nor let their loud-tongued blood in vain
The vengeance of thine arm demand,
But give us o'er each hostile Land
To see thy Wrath terrific rise,
And Folly's impious Brood chastise.

8.

O hear the wretched Captive's groan;
The Souls whom Death has mark'd his own
Propitious save; the ceaseless wrongs,
By hands profane, and daring tongues,
Repeated, in thy balance weigh,
And sev'nfold to thy foes repay.

9.

So shall the Flock acknowledg'd thine
To Thee in grateful homage join,
To Thee their loudest accents raise,
With thankful voices sing thy praise;
And, long as Israel boasts a name,
From sire to son transmit thy fame.