A Penitential Plea

O God Who by Thy mighty hand
Hast led us in the past.
Have mercy on our barren land
And spare us from the blast.
Not from lack of food we cry
But of Thy preached Word.
Because of this we groan and sigh
And pray for mercy lest we die.

Truth, some yet stand for what is right
And bravely stem the tide of wrong.
They pray, while others fiercely fight
To silence all save th’ evil throng.
We now confess our sin and shame;
The fault is ours and naught else blame.
Take pity Lord, for Thine own sake;
Send grace or else our hearts will break.

With joyful lays we Thee adore
E’en though the heathen rage and roar.
Take us safely to Thy haven rest
Where we, forever, will be blest.