The gath’ring clouds, with aspect dark

The words

1. 1

   Stanza 1. The gath’ring clouds, with aspect dark,A rising storm presage;O! to be hid within the ark,And sheltered from its rage!

2. 2

   Stanza 2. See the commissioned angel frown!That vial in his hand,Filled with fierce wrath, is pouring downUpon our guilty land!

3. 3

   Stanza 3. Ye saints, unite in wrestling prayer;If yet there may be hope;Who knows but Mercy yet may spare,And bid the angel stop!

4. 4

   Stanza 4. Already is the plague begun,And fired with hostile rage;Brethren, by blood and interest one,With brethren now engage.

5. 5

   Stanza 5. Peace spreads her wings, prepared for flight,And war, with flaming sword,And hasty strides draws nigh, to fightThe battles of the LORD.

6. 6

   Stanza 6. The first alarm, alas, how few,While distant, seem to hear!But they will hear, and tremble too,When God shall send it near.

7. 7

   Stanza 7. So thunder, o’er the distant hills,Gives but a murm’ring sound,But as the tempest spreads, it fills,And makes the welkin sound.

8. 8

   Stanza 8. May we, at least, with one consent,Fall low before the throneWith tears the nation’s sins lament,The churches, and our own.

9. 9

   Stanza 9. The humble souls who mourn and pray,The LORD approves and knows;His mark secures them in the dayWhen vengeance strikes his foes.

Olney Hymns (1779), Book 2, Hymn 64. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/2-64