English poem
The Hand of the LORD upon the Cattle. Exodus ix. 3
by Philip Doddridge (1773–1832)
The Creatures, LORD, confess thy Hand, Thro' Earth and Sky, thro' Sea & Land; And all their meanest Orders share Their Maker's Pity, and his Care.
O look from thine exalted Throne, And hear our panting Cattle moan; Prone o'er th' untasted Food they lye, Groan out their Agonies, and dye.
What have these harmless Creatures done To draw this sore Chastisement down? 'Tis human Guilt for Vengeance calls, And heavy on the Herds it falls.
From them to us the Stroke might pass, And mow down Thousands of our Race: Till Desolation reign'd around, Our Cities void, untill'd our Ground.
Prevent the Ruin by thy Grace, And melt our Hearts to seek thy Face: Blest Fruit of thy correcting Rod To lose our Beasts, and find our GOD.
More by Philip Doddridge
- The Grace of CHRIST in ministring to Men, and dying for them. Matt. xx. 28
- The grand Scheme of the Gospel. Ephes. i. 9, 10, 11
- The great Journey. Job xvi. 22
- The Greatness and Majesty of GOD, and the Meanness of the Creatures. Isaiah xl. 15, 16, 17
- The Happiness and Security of CHRIST'S Sheep. John x. 28
- The Happiness of departing, and being with CHRIST. Phil. i. 23
- The Happiness of GOD'S Israel. Deut, xxxiii. 29
- The Heart purified to Love unfeigned by the Spirit. 1 Peter i. 22