2 Their furious wrath, did God permit, Would surely have consumed us, And in the deep and yawning pit

With life and limb entombed us; Like men o'er whom dark waters roll, The streams had gone e'en o'er our soul, And mightily o'erwhelmed us.

3 Blest be the Lord, who from the pit
Snatched us, when it was gaping;
Our souls, like birds that break the net,
To the blue skies escaping;

The snare is broken-we are free!
Our help is ever, Lord, in Thee,
The God of earth and heaven.

283

WHEN Rome had shrouded earth in

night,

God said again, Let there be light!
And Luther with the Gospel came
To spread the truth in Jesus' name.

L. M.

2 When Rome the saints of God oppressed,
And burdened souls could find no rest,
Through Luther God deliv'rance sent
By His pure Word and Sacrament.

3 Though hosts against us stand arrayed, Christ bids us still, Be not afraid; Though all its powers the truth assail, The gates of hell shall not prevail.

4 Today with joyful hearts we sing The guardian care of Christ our King, Who through His chosen instrument To us hath this salvation sent.

5 O Lord, whose mercies still endure,
Preserve to us Thy Gospel pure;
Let it alone within us reign,
That Thine the glory may remain.

284

8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7

IF God were not upon our side

When round us foes are raging, Were not Himself our help and guide When bitter war they're waging, Were He not Israel's mighty shield, To whom their utmost craft must yield, We surely must have perished.

2 But now no human wit or might His chosen people frighteth,

God sitteth in the highest height,

And He their counsels blighteth; When craftiest snares and nets they lay, God doth His work another way, And makes a path before us.

3 Against our souls they rage and mock, Exciting great commotion:

As billows meet with angry shock
Out on the stormy ocean,

So they our lives with fury seek;
But God hath pity on the weak,
And Him they have forgotten.

4 They call us heretics, and aye

Their Christian name are flaunting; They seek to spill our blood, while they Their fear of God are vaunting.

Ah, God! that precious name of Thine O'er many a wicked deed must shine, But Thou wilt once avenge it.

5 They open wide their ravenous jaws, And threaten to devour us,

But thanks to God, who rules our cause, They shall not overpower us;

Their snares He yet will bring to naught, And overthrow what they have taught; God is too mighty for them.

6 How richly He consoleth those

Whom no one else befriendeth!
The door of grace doth never close;
Sense cannot comprehend it,

How this may be, and deems all lost,
When through this very cross a host
Of champions God is raising.

7 Our foes, O God, are in Thy hand,
Thou knowest their endeavor;

But only give us strength to stand,
And let us waver never,

Though reason strives with faith, and still

It fears to wholly trust Thy will,
And sees not Thy salvation.

8 But heaven and earth, O Lord, are Thine, For Thou alone hast made them;

Thy light let on Thy people shine,

And in their sorrows aid them;

Kindle our hearts to love and faith
That shall be steadfast e'en to death,

Howe'er the world may murmur!

Raise the "Thrice holy, Lord!" ever and aye!

2 These are Thy ministers, these dost Thou own,

Lord God of Sabaoth! nearest Thy

throne.

These are Thy messengers; these dost Thou send,

Help of the helpless ones, man to defend.

3 When by Thy word earth was first poised in space,

When the far planets first sped on their

race,

When was completed the six days'

employ,

Then "all the sons of God shouted for joy."

4 Still let them succor us; still let them

fight,

Lord of angelic hosts! battling for right;
Till, where their anthems they cease-

lessly pour,

We with the angels may bow and adore.

286

L. M.

LORD God, we all to Thee give praise,
Thankofferings meet to Thee we raise,
That Thou didst angel hosts create,
Around Thy glorious throne to wait.

2 They glow with light and heavenly
grace,

And constantly behold Thy face;
Obedience to Thy voice they yield,
And are with godly wisdom filled.

3 They never rest nor sleep, as we;
Their whole delight is but to be
Forever near Thee, gracious Lord,
Thy little flock to watch and guard.

4 The foul old Dragon and dread Foe
With envy, hate, and wrath doth glow;
It always is his aim and pride
Thy Christian people to divide.

5 As he has blighted earth of old,
He keeps e'en now his deathly hold,
Chafes madly to annihilate

All virtue, honor, Church, and State.

6 Therefore, no halt nor rest he knows; A roaring lion round he goes,

Or lies in wait with baneful snare
To drive the Christians to despair.

7 But watchful is the angel-band,
That follows Christ on every hand,
And guards Thy holy Christendom
From harm that might from Satan

come.