Great God, and just (A penitential hymn)

Great God, and just! how can'st thou see,

Dear God, our misery,

And not in mercy set us free?

Poor, miserable man! how wert thou born,

Weak as the dewy jewels of the morn,

Wrapp'd up in tender dust,

Guarded with sins and lust,

Who, like court flatterers, wait

To serve themselves in thy unhappy fate!

Wealth is a snare, and poverty brings in

Inlets for theft, paving the way for sin;

Each perfum'd vanity doth gently breathe

Sin in thy soul, and whispers it to death.

Our faults like ulcerated sores do go

O'er the sound flesh and do corrupt that too.

Lord, we are sick, spotted with sin,

Thick as a crusty leper's skin;

Like Naaman, bid us wash, yet let it be

In streams of blood that flow from thee.

Chorus

Then will we sing,

Touch'd by the heav'nly dove's bright wing

Alleluias, psalms and praise

To God the Lord of nights and days,

Ever good and ever just,

Ever high, whoever must

Thus be sung, is still the same;

Eternal praises crown his name.