273    7s     John Newton
To the Afflicted. Isa. 41. 10, 14; 54. 4-11

1 Pensive, doubting, fearful heart,
  Hear what Christ the Saviour says;
  Every word should joy impart,
  Change thy mourning into praise.
  Yes, he speaks, and speaks to thee,
  May he help thee to believe;
  Then thou presently wilt see
  Thou hast little cause to grieve:

2 “Fear thou not, nor be ashamed;
  All thy sorrows soon shall end,
  I, who heaven and earth have framed,
  Am thy Husband and thy Friend;
  I, the High and Holy One,
  Israel’s God, by all adored,
  As thy Saviour will be known,
  Thy Redeemer and thy Lord.

3 “For a moment I withdrew,
  And thy heart was filled with pain;
  But my mercies I’ll renew;
  Thou shalt soon rejoice again;
  Though I seem to hide my face,
  Very soon my wrath shall cease;
  ’Tis but for a moment’s space,
  Ending in eternal peace.

4 “Though afflicted, tempest-tossed,
  Comfortless awhile thou art,
  Do not think thou canst be lost,
  Thou art graven on my heart;
  All thy wastes I will repair;
  Thou shalt be rebuilt anew;
  And in thee it shall appear
  What the God of love can do.”