a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 #

william billings - halifax lyrics

not to our names, thou only just and true
not to our worthless names is glory due;
thy power and grace, thy truth and justice, claim
immortal honors to thy sovereign name:
shine through the earth from heaven, thy blest abode
nor let the heathens say, “and where’s your god?”

heaven is thine higher court, there stands thy throne
and through the lower worlds thy will is done;
our god framed all this earth, these heavens he spread;
but fools adorе the gods their hands have madе:
the kneeling crowd, with looks devout, behold
their silver saviors, and their saints of gold
vain are those artful shapes of eyes and ears;
the molten image neither sees nor hears;
their hands are helpless, nor their feet can move
they have no speech, nor thought, nor power, nor love;
yet sottish mortals make their long complaints
to their deaf idols and their moveless saints

the rich have statues well adorned with gold;
the poor, content with gods of co+rs+r mold
with tools of iron carve the senseless stock
lopped from a tree, or broken from a rock;
people and priest drive on the solemn trade
and trust the gods that saws and hammers made

be heaven and earth amazed! ’tis hard to say
which is more stupid, or their gods or they:
o israel, trust the lord; he hears and sees
he knows thy sorrows and restores thy peace;
his worship does a thousand comforts yield
he is thy help, and he thy heavenly shield

o britain, trust the lord: thy foes in vain
attempt thy ruin, and oppose his reign;
had they prevailed, darkness had closed our days
and death and silence had forbid his praise:
but we are saved, and live; let songs arise
and britain bless the god that built the skies

- william billings lyrics

Random Lyrics

HOT LYRICS