Thou Judge By Whom Each Empire Fell

Above:  Ruins of Babylon, 1932

Image Source = Library of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/mpc2005007825/PP/)

Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-matpc-13231

Words (1931) by Percy Dearmer (1867-1936)

Hymn Source = Hymnbook for Christian Worship (1970), of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the American Baptist Convention

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1.  Thou Judge by  whom each empire fell,

When pride of power o’er came it,

Convict us now, if we rebel,

Our nation judge, and shame it.

In each sharp crisis, Lord, appear,

Forgive, and show our duty clear:

To serve thee by repentance.

2.  Search, Lord, our spirits in thy sight,

In best and worst reveal us;

Shed on our souls a blaze of light,

And judge, that thou may’st heal us.

The present be our judgment day,

When all our lack thou dost survey:

Show us ourselves and save us.

3.  Lo, fearing nought we come to thee,

Though by our fault confounded;

Though selfish, mean, and base we be,

Thy justice is unbounded:

So large, it nought but love requires,

And, judging, pardons, frees, inspires,

Deliver us from evil!