Not to ourselves, who are but dust

Verse 1

Not to ourselves, who are but dust, Not to ourselves is glory due, Eternal God, thou only just, Thou only gracious, wise, and true.

Verse 2

Shine forth in all thy dreadful name; Why should a heathen's haughty tongue Insult us, and, to raise our shame, Say, "Where's the God you've served so long?"

Verse 3

The God we serve maintains his throne Above the clouds, beyond the skies; Through all the earth his will is done; He knows our groans, he hears our cries.

Verse 4

But the vain idols they adore Are senseless shapes of stone and wood; At best a mass of glitt'ring ore, A silver saint or golden god.

Verse 5

With eyes and ears they carve their head; Deaf are their ears, their eyes are blind; In vain are costly off'rings made, And vows are scattered in the wind.

Verse 6

Their feet were never made to move, Nor hands to save when mortals pray; Mortals that pay them fear or love Seem to be blind and deaf as they.

Verse 7

O Isr'el! make the Lord thy hope, Thy help, thy refuge, and thy rest; The Lord shall build thy ruins up, And bless the people and the priest.

Verse 8

The dead no more can speak thy praise, They dwell in silence and the grave; But we shall live to sing thy grace, And tell the world thy power to save.