Confession and Prayer. Dec. 13, 1776

I

Oh may the pow’r which melts the rock
Be felt by all assembled here!
Or else our service will but mock
The God whom we profess to fear.

II

Lord, while thy judgments shake the land,
Thy people’s eyes are fix’d on thee!
We own thy just uplifted hand,
Which thousands cannot, will not see.

III

How long hast thou bestow’d thy care
On this indulged ungrateful spot,
While other nations far and near
Have envied and admired our lot!

IV

Here peace and liberty have dwelt,
The glorious gospel brightly shone;
And oft our enemies have felt
That God has made our cause his own.

V

But ah! both heaven and earth have heard
Our vile requital of his love!
We, whom like children he has rear’d,
Rebels against his goodness prove.

VI

His grace despised, his power defied,
And legions of the blackest crimes,
Profaneness, riot, lust, and pride,
Are signs that mark the present times.

VII

The Lord displeased has raised his rod:
Ah, where are now the faithful few
Who tremble for the ark of God,
And know what Isr’el ought to do?

VIII

Lord, hear thy people everywhere,
Who meet to mourn, confess, and pray;
The nation and thy churches spare,
And let thy wrath be turn’d away!