LORD, when iniquities abound, And blasphemy grows bold, When faith is hardly to be found And love is waxing cold . . .
When scorners stand on every side, And sons of God seem few; When men, in vanity and pride, Have but themselves in view . . .
Is not Thy coming hastening on? Hast Thou not given this sign? May we not trust and lean upon A promise so divine?
When man is ‘god’, then Thou wilt rise And make oppressors flee; In power appear, to their surprise, And set Thy servants free.
Thy Word like silver, fully-tried, Through ages shall endure; And all who in its truth confide, Shall find Thy promise sure.
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748‡