A Prayer to GOD, that our National CRIMES may not bring down National PUNISHMENT

Where Justice waves her vengeful hand Tremendous o'er a guilty land, Almighty GOD thy awful power, With fear and trembling, we adore. Where shall we fly, but to thy feet? Our only refuge is thy seat; Thy seat, where potent mercy pleads, And hurls thy thunder from our heads. While peace and plenty bless'd our days, Where was the tribute of thy praise? Ungrateful race! how have we spent The blessings which thy goodness lent. But when distress and wasting war With threat'ning frown thy wrath appear; Still war and want are but thy slaves, Nor can destroy when mercy saves. Look down, O LORD, with pitying eye; Tho' loud our crimes for vengeance cry; Let mercy's louder voice prevail, Nor thy long-suffering patience fail. Encourag'd by the sacred word, May we not plead the blest record, That when a humbled nation mourns, Thy rising wrath to pity turns; O let thy sovereign grace impart Contrition to each rocky heart, And bid sincere repentance flow, A general undissembled woe! Fair smiling peace again restore, With plenty bless th' industrious poor And may a happy thankful land Obedient own thy guardian hand.