Hymn for events across nation, from Southwest Florida Bishop Smith

Posted Jul 8, 2016

As events in the nation continue to unfold, Southwest Florida Bishop Dabney Smith recommends for prayer and and reflection Hymn 569, God the Omnipotent!

This hymn was one that was sung at St. John’s, Tampa, when Bishop Smith’s class was told about events in Dallas in 1963, and it was the first thing that came to mind for him when he heard the news of the day today.

This hymn text, which is a prayer of hope, was originally written by Henry Fothergill Chorley (1808-72), an English Quaker lyricist, with later additions:

“God the Omnipotent! King, who ordainest
Thunder Thy clarion, the lightning Thy sword;
Show forth Thy pity on high where Thou reignest;
Give to us peace in our time, O Lord.

God the All-merciful! earth hath forsaken
Meekness and mercy, and slighted Thy Word;
Let not Thy wrath in its terrors awaken;
Give to us peace in our time, O Lord.

God, the All righteous One! Earth hath defiled thee
yet to eternity standeth thy word
Falsehood and wrong shall not tarry beside thee
Give to us peace in our time, O Lord.

Got the All provident, earth by the chastening
yet shall to freedom and truth be restored
Through the thick darkness thy kingdom is hastening
Thou wilt give peace in thy time, O Lord.


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