1146    C.M.     Isaac Watts
The Promise and Sign of Christ’s Coming. 2 Peter 3

1 Help, Lord, for men of virtue fail;
  Religion loses ground;
  The sons of violence prevail,
  And treacheries abound.

2 Their oaths and promises they break,
  Yet act the flatterer’s part;
  With fair deceitful lips they speak,
  And with a double heart.

3 If we reprove some hateful lie,
  How is their fury stirred!
  “Are not our lips our own?” they cry;
  “And who shall be our Lord?”

4 [Scoffers appear on every side,
  Where a vile race of men
  Is raised on seats of power and pride,
  And bears the sword in vain.]

5 Lord, when iniquities abound,
  And blasphemy grows bold,
  When faith is hardly to be found,
  And love is waxing cold –

6 Is not thy chariot hastening on?
  Hast thou not given the sign?
  May we not trust and live upon
  A promise so divine?

7 “Yes,” saith the Lord, “now will I rise
  And make oppressors flee;
  I shall appear to their surprise,
  And set my servants free.”

8 Thy word, like silver seven times tried,
  Through ages shall endure;
  The men that in thy truth confide
  Shall find thy promise sure.