1 Darkness long hath veiled the nations,
And a guilty world appears
Full of cruel habitations,
Strife and hatred, groans and tears;
Lord of mercy,
May we look for brighter years?

2 Yes, we hear Thy word declaring
That all hearts shall bow to Thee;
That Thy mercy is preparing
To fulfill the high decree;
And that shortly
Satan’s captives shall be free.

3 Savior, though by man rejected,
Pity our apostate race;
Let those years, so long expected,
Rich with Heaven’s unbounded grace,
Soon refresh us
With the brightness of Thy face.

4 Rouse the heathen from their slumbers,
With a loud awakening call;
Bring them in increasing numbers
Humbly at Thy feet to fall;
Reign amongst us,
Honored, loved, and served by all