O Lord, in mercy cast an eye

Representative Text

I. O Lord, in mercy cast an Eye
On thy distressed SION;
How few of Christians canst thou spy
That 'scape th' infernal Lion?
Thy Truth was never more despis'd;
Faith, Charity is but disguis'd
Amongst its mere Professors.

II. They teach but Lies and Flattery,
What is their own Invention;
Their Doctrine is but Mockery
Of God and his Intention:
One chuses this, another that,
Pretending to they know not what,
Thought Saint-like in Appearance.

III. Root out all mere Formality,
O Lord! and its Infection,
Confound refin'd Hyporcrisy,
Which is beyond Correction.
Yet shall our words be free, thy cry:
Where is the Lord will ask us why?
who dares controul our Sayings?

IV. The Lord, who sees the Poor opprest,
And hears the proud Professors,
Will rise to give his Children Rest,
And curb their sore Oppressors;
Nor will he send his Word in vain,
But wilful Mockers shall be slain,
to save his poor Beloved.

V. As Silver sev'n Times purify'd
Shines in its greatest Beauty;
So, Lord, thy word, the oftner try'd,
Exerts the greater Duty;
Affliction shall refine it more,
And shew its Energy and Pow'r
According to thy Promise.

VI. O Lord, we pray, preserve it pure
In this our Generation,
And let us dwell in Thee secure
From all Abomination.
For Sin increases ev'ry Day,
In ev'ry Place where bear the Sway
The Church of CHRIST'S Blasphemers.


Source: Psalmodia Germanica: or, The German Psalmody: translated from the high Dutch together with their proper tunes and thorough bass (2nd ed., corr. and enl.) #165

Translator: Johann Christian Jacobi

Jacobi, John Christian, a native of Germany, was born in 1670, and appointed Keeper of the Royal German Chapel, St. James's Palace, London, about 1708. He held that post for 42 years, and died Dec. 14, 1750. He was buried in the Church of St. Paul's, Covent Garden. His publications included :— (1) A Collection of Divine Hymns, Translated from the High Dutch. Together with their Proper Tunes and Thorough Bass. London: Printed and Sold by J. Young, in St. Paul’s Churchyard; . . . 1720. This edition contains 15 hymns. Two years later this collection, with a few changes in the text and much enlarged, was republished as (2) Psalmodia Germanica; or a Specimen of Divine Hymns. Translated from the High Dutch. Together with their Proper Tunes… Go to person page >

Author: Martin Luther

Luther, Martin, born at Eisleben, Nov. 10, 1483; entered the University of Erfurt, 1501 (B.A. 1502, M.A.. 1503); became an Augustinian monk, 1505; ordained priest, 1507; appointed Professor at the University of Wittenberg, 1508, and in 1512 D.D.; published his 95 Theses, 1517; and burnt the Papal Bull which had condemned them, 1520; attended the Diet of Worms, 1521; translated the Bible into German, 1521-34; and died at Eisleben, Feb. 18, 1546. The details of his life and of his work as a reformer are accessible to English readers in a great variety of forms. Luther had a huge influence on German hymnody. i. Hymn Books. 1. Ellich cristlich lider Lobgesang un Psalm. Wittenberg, 1524. [Hamburg Library.] This contains 8 German h… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: O Lord, in mercy cast an eye
German Title: Ach Gott vom Himmel sieh darein
Author: Martin Luther
Translator: Johann Christian Jacobi
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 3 of 3)
Page Scan

A Hymn and Prayer-Book #201

TextAudioPage Scan

Psalmodia Germanica #165

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us