"Yet," saith the Lord, "if David's race,

The children of my Son,

Should break my laws, abuse my grace,

And tempt mine anger down;

"Their sins I'll visit with the rod

And make their folly smart;

But I'll not cease to be their God,

Nor from my truth depart.

"My cov'nant I will ne'er revoke,

But keep my grace in mind

And what eternal love hath spoke

Eternal truth shall bind.

"Once have I sworn (I need no more)

And pledged my holiness,

To seal the sacred promise sure

To David and his race.

"The sun shall see his offspring rise

And spread from sea to sea,

Long as he travels round the skies

To give the nations day.

"Sure as the moon that rules the night

His kingdom shall endure,

Till the fixed laws of shade and light

Shall be observed no more.