He that hath made his refuge God Shall find a most secure abode, Shall walk all day beneath his shade, And there at night shall rest his head. | Then will I say, "My God, thy power Shall be my fortress and my tower; I, that am formed of feeble dust, Make thine almighty arm my trust." | Thrice happy man! thy Maker's care Shall keep thee from the fowler's snare; Satan, the fowler, who betrays Unguarded souls a thousand ways. | Just as a hen protects her brood From birds of prey that seek their blood, Under her feathers, so the Lord Makes his own arm his people's guard. | If burning beams of noon conspire To dart a pestilential fire, God is their life; his wings are spread To shield them with a healthful shade. | If vapors with malignant breath Rise thick, and scatter midnight death, Isr'el is safe; the poisoned air Grows pure, if Isr'el's God be there. | What though a thousand at thy side, At thy right hand ten thousand died, Thy God his chosen people saves Amongst the dead, amidst the graves. | So when he sent his angel down To make his wrath in Egypt known, And slew their sons, his careful eye Passed all the doors of Jacob by. | But if the fire, or plague, or sword, Receive commission from the Lord To strike his saints among the rest, Their very pains and deaths are blest. | The sword, the pestilence, or fire, Shall but fulfil their best desire; From sins and sorrows set them free, And bring thy children, Lord, to thee. | |