The Day of the Lord.

I

God with one piercing glance looks through
Creation’s wide-extended frame;
The past and future in his view,
And days and ages are the same.

II

Sinners who dare provoke his face,
Who on his patience long presume,
And trifle out his day of grace,
Will find he has a day of doom,

III

As pangs the labouring woman feels,
Or as the thief in midnight sleep,
So comes that day for which the wheels
Of time their ceaseless motion keep!

IV

Hark! from the sky the trump proclaims
Jesus the Judge approaching nigh!
See the creation wrapt in flames,
First kindled by his vengeful eye!

V

When thus the mountains melt like wax;
When earth and air and sea shall burn;
When all the frame of nature breaks;
Poor sinner, whither wilt thou turn?

VI

The puny works which feeble men
Now boast or covet or admire;
Their pomp and arts and treasures then
Shall perish in one common fire.

VII

Lord, fix our hearts and hopes above,
Since all below to ruin tends;
Here may we trust, obey, and love,
And there be found amongst thy friends.