To God your grateful voices raise, Who does your daily Patron prove (Tate and Brady)

Verse 1

To God your grateful voices raise, Who does your daily patron prove: And let your never-ceasing praise, Attend on his eternal love.

Verse 2

Let those give thanks, whom he from bands Of proud oppressing foes releas'd; And brought them back from distant lands, From north and south, and west and east.

Verse 3

Thro' lonely desert ways they went, Nor could a peopled city find; Till quite with thirst and hunger spent, Their fainting soul within them pin'd.

Verse 4

Then soon to God's indulgent ear Did they their mournful cry address; Who graciously vouchsaf'd to hear, And freed them from their deep distress.

Verse 5

From crooked paths he led them forth, And in the certain way did guide, To wealthy towns of great resort, Where all their wants were well supply'd.

Verse 6

O then that all the earth, with me, Would God for this his goodness praise! And for the mighty works which he Thro'out the wond'ring world displays!

Verse 7

For he, from heav'n the sad estate Of longing souls with pity views; To hungry souls that pant for meat, His goodness daily food renews.

Verse 8

Some sit, with darkness compass'd round, In death's uncomfortable shade; And with unwieldy fetters bound, By pressing cares more heavy made.

Verse 9

Because God's counsel they defy'd, And lightly priz'd his holy word, With these afflictions they were try'd; They fell, and none could help afford.

Verse 10

Then soon to God's indulgent ear Did they their mournful cry address; Who graciously vouchsaf'd to hear, And freed them from their deep distress.

Verse 11

From dismal dungeons, dark as night. And shades as black as death's abode, He brought them forth to cheerful light, And welcome liberty bestow'd.

Verse 12

O then that all the earth with me, Would God for this his goodness praise! And for the mighty works which he Thro'out the wond'ring world displays!

Verse 13

For he, with his almighty hand, The gates of brass in pieces broke; Nor could the massy bars withstand, Or temper'd steel resist his stroke.

Verse 14

Remorseless wretches, void of sense, With bold transgressions God defy: And, for their multiply'd offence, Oppress'd with sore diseases lie.

Verse 15

Their soul, a prey to pain and fear, Abhors to taste the choicest meats; And they, by faint degrees, draw near To death's inhospitable gates.

Verse 16

Then straight to God's indulgent ear, Do they their mournful cry address; Who graciously vouchsafes to hear, And frees them from their deep distress.

Verse 17

He all their sad distempers heals, His word both health and safety gives; And when all human succour fails, From near destruction them retrieves.

Verse 18

O then that all the earth with me Would God for this his goodness praise! And for the mighty works which he Thro'out the wond'ring world displays!

Verse 19

With off'rings let his altar flame, Whilst they their grateful thanks express, And with loud joy his holy name for all his acts of wonder, bless!

Verse 20

They that in ships, with courage bold, O'er swelling waves their trade pursue, Do God's amazing works behold, And in the deep his wonders view.

Verse 21

No sooner his command is past, But forth the dreadful tempest flies, Which sweeps the sea with rapid haste, And makes the stormy billows rise.

Verse 22

Sometimes the ships, toss'd up to heav'n, On tops of mountain waves appear; Then down the steep abyss are driv'n, Whilst ev'ry soul dissolves with fear.

Verse 23

They reel and stagger to and fro, Like men with fumes of wine opprest; Nor do the skilful seamen know Which way to steer, what course is best.

Verse 24

Then straight to God's indulgent ear They do their mournful cry address; Who graciously vouchsafes to hear, And frees them from their deep distress.

Verse 25

He does the raging storm appease, And makes the billows calm and still; With joy they see their fury cease, And their intended course fulfil.

Verse 26

O then that all the earth with me Would God for this his goodness praise! And for the mighty works which he Thro'out the wond'ring world displays!

Verse 27

Let them, where all the saints resort, Advance to heav'n his glorious name; And in th' assembled elder's court With gratitude, his praise proclaim.

Verse 28

A fruitful land, where streams abound, God's just revenge, if people sin, Will turn to dry and barren ground, To punish those that dwell therein.

Verse 29

The parch'd and desert heath he makes To flow with streams and springing wells, Which for his lot the hungry takes, And in strong cities safely dwells.

Verse 30

He sows the field, the vineyard plants, which gratefully his toil repay; Nor can, whilst God his blessing grants, His fruitful seed or stock decay.

Verse 31

But when his sins heav'n's wrath provoke, His health and substance fade away, He feels th' oppressor's galling yoke, And is of grief the wretched prey.

Verse 32

The prince that slights what God commands, Expos'd to scorn, must quit his throne; And over wild and desert lands, Where no path offers, stray alone.

Verse 33

Whilst God, from all afflicting cares, Sets up the humble man on high; And makes in time his num'rous heirs With his increasing flock to vie.

Verse 34

Then sinners shall have nought to say, The just a decent joy shall show: The wise these strange events shall weigh, And thence God's goodness fully know.