God of Our Fathers

It's been a long time since I posted a Saturday night hymn. Too long. This one, written by Daniel C. Roberts in 1876, is a prayer, and it's an appropriate choice during this election campaign. Mr. Roberts penned it to commemorate the 100th birthday of the Declaration of Independence. I'm preparing for a little series, hoping to enliven myself and maybe some others for that big day on November 4th. This is a good prelude to that series, I think. Read and digest these words, dear saints and citizens:

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
Our grateful songs before thy throne arise.

Thy love divine hath led us in the past;
In this free land by thee our lot is cast;
Be thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide, and Stay;
Thy Word our law, thy paths our chosen way.

From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be thy strong arm our ever sure defence;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never-ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.

~Daniel Crane Roberts