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