Wesley Corpus

My people have been long opprest, No glory thence redounds to me, Long have I seen them sore distrest, Griev'd at my people's misery. Page 112 They groan'd beneath the tyrant's chain, Sin rul'd them with an iron rod, The suffering abjects howl'd for pain, They groan'd, but durst not groan to God. Th' oppressors with insulting boast, My truth and saving power contemn'd, My worship, and my praise was lost, My name was every day blasphem'd. For this my jealousy is stir'd, And shall a great deliverance shew, My people shall confess their Lord, My faithfulness and mercy know. Surely they all shall know my name, They all my attributes shall prove: I am, what I am call'd; I am Justice, and truth, and power, and love. Part II. How beautiful his feet appear High on the mountain-tops, who brings Glad tidings of salvation near, Salvation from the King of kings! Who publishes the joyful sound, Proclaims a peace 'twixt earth and heaven, A ransom for the sinner found, God reconcil'd, and man forgiven. That says to Israel's mournful race, Awake, arise, shake off thy chains, Believe the word of gospel-grace, Thy God, thy great Redeemer reigns. Page 113 Thy watchmen shall the voice lift up, Shall sing with gladsome melody, Object of all their joy and hope, When eye to eye their Lord they see. Him, eye to eye, shall they behold, Shall shout to see the Saviour come, To save a world redeem'd of old, To bring the weary captives home. Break forth into joy, your Comforter sing, Ye sinners employ your all for your King, Rejoice ye waste places, your Saviour proclaim, Bestow all your praises, and lives on his name.1 For Jesus the Lord hath comforted man, The sinner restor'd; nor suffer'd in vain, To bring us to heaven when rais'd from our fall, His life he hath given a ransom for all. His arm he hath bar'd, his mercy and grace Hath pardon prepar'd for all the lost race: His uttermost2 merit display'd in our sight, We all may inherit, and claim as our right. The Gentiles shall hear the life-giving call, His grace shall appear, and visit them all: The common salvation to all doth belong, To every nation, and people, and tongue.3 Part III.