God, Creator and Preserver

God

Crea­tor and Pre­serv­er!

God

who feed­est man and beast;

God

whose ten­der mer­cy car­eth

For the weak­est and the least;

If in for­mer times of glad­ness

In the full­ness of our bread

Harvest gifts to Thee we of­fered

Harvest songs to Thee we said;

Shall we not in trust­ful pa­tience

Cast our care up­on Thee now?

Shall we not in meek obe­di­ence

To Thy right­eous judg­ments bow?

Though the earth with­hold her in­crease

Though the heav­en re­strain its dew

Though his hand the reap­er fill not

Yet we know that Thou art true.

Not in vain the migh­ty pro­mise

From be­neath the Bow of Peace

Told us

while the earth re­main­eth

Seed-time

har­vest

shall not cease.

But our sins have stayed Thy bless­ing

Our re­bel­lions drawn Thy sword;

Pity now Thy mourn­ing people;

Think upon Thy co­ve­nant

Lord.

So the sun­shine of Thy boun­ty

Once again shall dry our tears;

And Thy gra­cious hand re­store us

All our cank­er-eat­en years.