The Church's Prayer under Affliction; or, The Vineyard of God Wasted

Verse 1

Great Shepherd over Israel, Who did between the cherubs dwell, And led the tribes, your chosen sheep, Safe thru' the desert and the deep.

Verse 2

Your Church is in the desert now; Shine from on high and guide us through; Turn us to you, your love restore; We shall be saved and sigh no more.

Verse 3

Great God, whom heav’nly hosts obey, How long shall we lament and pray, And wait in vain your kind return? How long shall your fierce anger burn?

Verse 4

Instead of wine and cheerful bread Your saints with their own tears are fed: Turn us to you, your love restore; We shall be saved and sigh no more.

Verse 5

How did the spreading branches shoot And bless the nations with the fruit! But now, dear Lord, look down and see Your mourning vine, that lovely tree.

Verse 6

Return, almighty God, return, Nor let your bleeding vineyard mourn; Turn us to you, your love restore; We shall be saved and sigh no more.

Verse 7

Fair Branch, ordained of old to shoot From David’s stock, from Jacob’s root; Himself a noble vine, and we The lesser branches of the tree.

Verse 8

Oh, for his sake, attend our cry, Shine on your churches lest they die; Turn us to you, your love restore; We shall be saved and sigh no more.