1 The deluge at th’Almighty’s call,
In what impetuous streams it fell!
Swallowed the mountains in its rage,
And swept a guilty world to hell.
2 In vain the tallest sons of pride
Fled from the close pursuing wave,
Nor could their mightiest towers defend,
Nor swiftness ’scape, nor courage save.
3 How dire the wreck! how loud the roar!
How shrill the universal cry
Of millions in the last despair,
Re-echoed from the lowering sky.
4 Yet Noah, humble, happy saint!
Surrounded by a chosen few,
Sat in his ark secure from fear,
And sang the grace that steered him ’thro.
5 So may I sing, in Jesus safe,
When storms of vengeance round me fall;
Conscious how high my hopes are fixed,
Beyond what shakes this earthly ball.
6 Enter thine ark, while patience waits,
Nor ever quit that sure retreat;
Then the wide flood which buries earth,
Shall waft thee to a fairer seat.
7 Nor wreck nor ruin there is seen;
There not a wave of trouble rolls;
But the bright rainbow round the throne
Seals endless life to all their souls.