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O God of Earth and Altar
1. O God of earth and altar,
Bow down and hear our cry;
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die;
The walls of gold entomb us,
The swords of scorn divide;
Take not Your thunder from us,
But take away our pride.
2. From all that terror teaches,
From lies of pen and voice,
From all the easy speeches
That make our hearts rejoice,
From sale and profanation
Of honor and the sword,
From sleep and from damnation,
Deliver us, good Lord!
3. Awaken us to action
And forge us into one,
Defying sect and faction;
O God, Your will be done!
Oppressive systems snare us;
Our apathies increase.
Great God, in mercy spare us
For justice and for peace!
WORDS: Stanzas 1-2, Gilbert Keith Chesterton, 1906
MUSIC: Stanza 2 alt. Jane Parker Huber, 1985 Stanza 3, Jane Parker Huber, 1985Welsh folk melody Evans' Hymnau a Thonau, 1865 As in English Hymnal, 1906
Scripture: Job 26:14
Theme: God