Approach, ye tribes; with one according voice

Verse 1

Approach ye tribes; with one according voice Sing to your God, and in his name rejoice;

Verse 2

Your saviour he; let gratitude inspire The song harmonious; join with it the lyre.

Verse 3

He's Lord supreme, the world's dread governor, Nor mate with him the other gods in pow'r.

Verse 4

His hand supports our earth upon her base; From him the cloud-topp'd mountains hold their place;

Verse 5

Within his depths old ocean he restrains, And his dread hand form'd hills and lawns and plains.

Verse 6

With bended knee 'fore your creator fall, With hands uplifted on Jehovah call;

Verse 7

He is our God; we in his pastures rove, And long shall we enjoy almighty love,

Verse 8

If we the dictates of his law obey, Nor from his sacred statutes wilful stray:

Verse 9

Stray, like our fathers in the days of yore, When they Arabia's desarts wander'd o'er, When, tho' by constant miracles he prov'd His boundless pow'r, still were their hearts unmov'd; Still by their murmurs they provok'd his wrath, And tempted him to punish them with death.

Verse 10

For forty years he their impatience bore; At length his mercy wou'd forgive no more; "Distracted sure (he said) these people are; "Their God they know not--by myself I swear, "That they the promis'd land shall ne'er enjoy, "But in these wild and desart plains shall die.''