Dread Jehovah, God of nations

Full Text

1 Dread Jehovah, God of Nations,
From Thy temple in the skies,
Hear Thy people's supplications.
Now for their deliverance rise:

2 Lo, with deep contrition turning,
Humbly at Thy feet we bend;
Hear us, fasting, praying, mourning;
Hear us, spare us, and defend.

3 Though our sins, our hearts confounding,
Long and loud for vengeance call,
Thou hast mercy more abounding,
Jesus' blood can cleanse them all.

4 Let that love veil our transgression;
Let that blood our guilt efface:
Save Thy people from oppression,
Save from spoil Thy holy place.

Hymnal: according to the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, 1871

Author: Anonymous

In some hymnals, the editors noted that a hymn's author is unknown to them, and so this artificial "person" entry is used to reflect that fact. Obviously, the hymns attributed to "Author Unknown" "Unknown" or "Anonymous" could have been written by many people over a span of many centuries. Go to person page >

Alterer: Edward Henry Bickersteth

Bickersteth, Edward Henry, D.D., s. of Edward Bickersteth, Sr. b. at Islington, Jan. 1825, and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge (B.A. with honours, 1847; M.A., 1850). On taking Holy Orders in 1848, he became curate of Banningham, Norfolk, and then of Christ Church, Tunbridge Wells. His preferment to the Rectory of Hinton-Martell, in 1852, was followed by that of the Vicarage of Christ Church, Hampstead, 1855. In 1885 he became Dean of Gloucester, and the same year Bishop of Exeter. Bishop Bickersteth's works, chiefly poetical, are:— (l) Poems, 1849; (2) Water from the Well-spring, 1852; (3) The Rock of Ages, 1858 ; (4) Commentary on the New Testament, 1864; (5) Yesterday, To-day, and For Ever, 1867; (6) The Spirit of Life, 1868; (7… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Dread Jehovah, God of nations
Author: Anonymous (1804)
Alterer: Edward Henry Bickersteth (1833)
Meter: 8.7.8.7
Source: Episcopal Collection
Language: English

Notes

Dread Jehovah! God of nations. [In Time of Trouble—National.] This hymn appeared in the Christian Observer, in April, 1804, in 4 stanzas of 8 lines. At that time Bonaparte was First Consul, and meditating an immediate invasion of England. A day of humiliation and prayer was appointed. In anticipation of this day the following editorial note, together with the hymn as given below, appeared in the Christian Observer:—

"His Majesty has been graciously pleased to appoint Friday, the 25th of May next, to be observed throughout England and Ireland as a day of public humiliation and fasting. We earnestly hope it may be observed in a proper manner. We subjoin a hymn for the occasion, which has just reached us in time to obtain a place in this number.

Hymn for the Fast Day.
May 25,1804.
"Dread Jehovah! God of Nations,
From thy Temple in the Skies,
Hear thy People's Supplications,
And for their Deliv'rance rise.
Lo! with deep Contrition turning,
In thy Holy Place we bend;
Fasting, praying, weeping, mourning,
Hear us, spare us, and defend.

“Foes, who've ravag'd peaceful Regions,
Now for us the Yoke prepare;
And if thou forsake our Legions,
We, like them, the Yoke must wear.
Shall Religion's Foes enslave us?
Shall their Heathen Tongues exclaim,
‘Where's your God?' O rise to save us,
And assert Thy glorious Name.

”Though our Sins, each Heart confounding,
Long and loud for vengeance call;
Thou hast Mercy as abounding,
Thou hast Blood can cleanse them all.
Let that Mercy veil Transgression,
Let that Blood our Guilt efface;
Save thy People from Oppression,
Save from Spoil thy Holy Place.
"Hear, O God! the Vows we tender;

With our Hosts to battle go;
Shield the Head of each Defender,
And confound the impious Foe.
So when ceas'd the Battle's raging,
Thine shall be the Victor's Praise;
And in thy holy Bonds engaging,
We will serve thee all our Days. "C.F."

In 1805, in John Gresham's Select Portions of Psalms and Hymns, 3rd edition, it is given as Hymn xiv., and a note states it to have been "Written by a Clergyman," and to have been separately published with music by Haydn. In 1819, Cotterill, having slightly altered the text, and omitted stanza ii., included the hymn in his Selection in 3 stanzas, No. 337. Bickersteth went further in reducing it to the first and third stanzas, with alterations, in his Christian Psalmody, 1833. Hall adopted the same stanzas in his Mitre Hymn Book, 1836, but introduced many alterations therein. These alterations are repeated in the New Mitre Hymnal, 1874, together with a doxology in 2 stanzas of 4 lines. Nearly all the modern collections, including the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Psalms & Hymns, 1852-69; Barry, 1862-67; Hymnal Companion 1872; Snepp, 1872; Harland; Stevenson's Hymns for Church & Home; and many others, have the altered text as given in Bickersteth's Christian Psalmody, 1833, and not the original. In Church Hymns, 1871, No. 260, the hymn, "Lord Almighty, God of nations," is also Bickersteth's text with the alteration of the first and last lines of the hymn only. The hymn is in one form or another in somewhat extensive use in Great Britain and America.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Timeline

Instances

Instances (132)TextImageAudioScore
A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the United Brethren in Christ #d77
A Collection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs; suited to the various kinds of Christian worship; and especially designed for and adapted to the Fraternity of the Brethren... #747Image
A Collection of Sacred Song: being an eclectic compilation for the use of churches, families, and boarding-schools... #109(H81)Image
A Collection of Sacred Song: being an eclectic compilation for the use of churches, families and schools... (2nd ed.) #109(H81)Image
A Collection of Spiritual Hymns: adapted to the Various Kinds of Christian Worship, and especially designed for the use of the Brethren in Christ. 2nd ed. #818Image
A Selection of Hymns: designed as a supplement to the "psalms and hymns" of the Presbyterian church #354Image
A Selection of Psalms and Hymns for ... Diocese of Nova Scotia. 3rd ed. #d71
A Selection of Psalms and Hymns for the Use of the Diocese of Nova Scotia. 3rd ed. #d72
Additional Hymns, Designed as a Supplement to Dwight's Psalms & Hymns #d35
Book of Common Praise #d108
Book of Worship with Hymns and Tunes #560Image
Cantica Laudis: or, the American Book of Church Music #d66
Chapel Hymns #d128
Church Book: for the use of Evangelical Lutheran congregations #495Image
Church music: with selections for the ordinary occasions of public and social worship, from the Psalms and hymns of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America #470Image
Church Poetry: being Portions of the Psalms in Verse and Hymns suited to the Festivals and Fasts, and Various Occasions of the Church #161aImage
Church Psalmody: a Collection of Psalms and Hymns adapted to public worship #H645Image
Church Psalmody: a Collection of Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Public Worship #645Image
Compilation of Hymns for the Use of the Churches of the Christian Union #d164
Congregational Hymn and Tune Book; containing the Psalms and Hymns of the General Association of Connecticut, adapted to Suitable Tunes #1048
Free Methodist Hymnal #d138
Hallowed Songs: a collection of the most popular hymns and tunes, both old, and new, designed for prayer and social meetings, revivals, family worship, and Sabbath schools #295Image
Harmonia Ecclesiae: or, Companion to the Christian Minstrel #d53
Hymn and Tune Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Round Note Ed.) #722Image
Hymn Book of the Colored M.E. Church in America #d118
Hymn Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South #722Image
Hymn Book of the Methodist Protestant Church #697Image
Hymn Book of the Methodist Protestant Church. (11th ed.) #697Image
Hymnal: according to the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America #310Text
Hymnal: according to the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America : Revised edition (1874) #310Image
Hymnal and Canticles of the Protestant Episcopal Church with Music (Gilbert & Goodrich) #310
Hymnal Companion to the Prayer Book: suited to the special seasons of the Christian year, and other occasions of public worship, as well as for use in the Sunday-school...With accompanying tunes #240Image
Hymnal Companion to the Prayer Book: with accompanying tunes #296Image
Hymnal Companion to the Prayer Book with Accompanying Tunes (Second Edition) #296Image
Hymnal of the Methodist Episcopal Church #1091Image
Hymnal of the Methodist Episcopal Church #1091Image
Hymnal of the Presbyterian Church #528Image
Hymns for Divine Worship in Churches and Sunday Schools and at Various Occasions #d25
Hymns for Public Worship in the Diocese of Fredericton. 2nd ed. #d40
Hymns for the use of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, by the Authority of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania #532Image
Hymns for the Use of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. ed. #1019Image
Hymns of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States, as authorized by the General Convention: with an additional selection #81Image
Hymns of Worship: Designed for Use Especially in the Lecture Room, the Prayer Meeting and the Family #550Image
Hymns suited to the Feasts and Fasts of the Church and Other Occasions of Public Worship ... approved by the Convention of 1826 #d38
Manual of Christian Psalmody: a collection of psalms and hymns for public worship #645Image
Methodist Hymn and Tune Book #d156
Methodist Hymn-Book #914Image
New Hymn and Tune book: an Offering of Praise for the Methodist Episcopal Church #A29Image
New Hymn and Tune book: an Offering of Praise for the Methodist Episcopal Church #355fImage
New Hymn and Tune Book: an Offering of Praise for the Use of the African M. E. Zion Church of America #A29Image
New Hymn and Tune Book: an Offering of Praise for the Use of the African M. E. Zion Church of America #355fImage
Offices of Worship and Hymns: with tunes, 3rd ed., revised and enlarged #267Image
Psalms and Hymns: adapted to social, private and public worship in the Cumberland Presbyterian Chruch #721Image
Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs: a manual of worship for the church of Christ #1290Image
Psalms and Hymns, for Christian Use and Worship #H615Image
Selections from the Psalms of David in Metre: with hymns suited to the feasts and fasts of the church, and other occasions of public worship #H81Image
Songs for Social and Public Worship #841Image
Songs for Social and Public Worship. Rev. ed. #d86
Songs for the New Life #d129
Songs for the Sanctuary: or hymns and tunes for Christian worship #1323Image
Songs for the Sanctuary: or hymns and tunes for Christian Worship #1323Image
Songs for the Sanctuary, or Hymns and Tunes for Christian Worship #1323
Songs for the Sanctuary: or hymns and tunes for Christian Worship #1323Image
Songs for the Sanctuary; or Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship (Baptist Ed.) #1323Image
Songs for the Sanctuary; or, Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship (Words only) #1323Image
Songs of Pilgrimage: a hymnal for the churches of Christ (2nd ed.) #843Image
Songs of the Church: or, hymns and tunes for Christian worship #856Image
Spiritual Songs for Social Worship: adapted to the use of families and private circles in seasons of revival, to missionary meetings, to the monthly concert, and to other occasions... (3rd ed.) #356Image
Spiritual Songs for Social Worship: adapted to the use of families and private circles in seasons of rivival, to missionary meetings, to the monthly concert, and to other occasions of special interest #356Image
Spiritual Songs for Social Worship: adapted to the use of families and private circles, to missinary meetings, to monthly concert, and to other occasions of special interest.(Rev. and Enl. Ed.) #356Image
The A. M. E. Zion Hymnal #d121
The Advent Harp; designed for believers in the speedy coming of Christ #53bImage
The American Hymn and Tune Book #d145
The Baptist Harp: a new collection of hymns for the closet, the family, social worship, and revivals #535Image
The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book, for Public Worship #343.894Image
The Baptist Hymn Book #894Image
The Baptist Psalmody: a selection of hymns for the worship of God #1113Image
The Book of Common Praise #d112
The Canadian Baptist Hymn Book #627Image
The Christian Melodist: a new collection of hymns for social religious worship #548Image
The Church Hymn Book #d220
The Church Hymnal: a collection of hymns from the Prayer book hymnal, Additional hymns, and Hymns ancient and modern, and Hymns for church and home. For use in Churches where licensed by the Bishop #380Image
The Church Hymnal: revised and enlarged in accordance with the action of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the year of our Lord 1892... #201bImage
The Church Hymnal: revised and enlarged in accordance with the action of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the year of our Lord 1892... #201aImage
The Church Hymnal: revised and enlarged in accordance with the action of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the year of our Lord 1892. (Ed. B) #201aTextImage
The Church Hymnal: revised and enlarged in accordance with the action of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the year of our Lord 1892. (Ed. B) #201bImage
The Church Hymnal with Canticles #310Image
The Church Hymnary: a collection of hymns and tunes for public worship #898Image
The Churchman's Hymn-Book, a Collection of Hymns Old and New, for Use in the Services of the Church #d92
The Clifton Chapel Collection of "Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs": for public, social and family worship and private devotions at the Sanitarium, Clifton Springs, N. Y. #1371Image
The Congregational Hymn Book: for the service of the sanctuary #963Image
The Devotional Chimes: a choice collection of new and standard hymns and tunes, adapted to all occasions of social worship, family devotions, and congregational singing #226bImage
The Devotional Hymn and Tune Book: for social and public worship #249Image
The Devotional Hymn Book #d119
The Harp #937Image
The Heart and Voice: or, Songs of Praise for the Sanctuary: hymn and tune book, designed for congregational singing in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for congregations generally #332cImage
The Hymn Book of the Free Methodist Church #787Image
The Hymnal and Order of Service #d115
The Hymnal of the Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod. Text ed. #d113
The Hymnal: published by the Authority of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. #671TextImage
The Hymnal: revised and enlarged as adopted by the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the of our Lord 1892..with music, as used in Trinity Church #201Image
The Hymnal, Revised and Enlarged, as adopted by the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the year of our Lord 1892 #201bTextImage
The Hymnal, Revised and Enlarged, as adopted by the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the year of our Lord 1892 #201aTextImage
The Lecture-Room Hymn-Book: containing the psalms and hymns of the book of common prayer, together with a choice selection of additional hymns, and an appendix of chants and tunes... #H81Image
The Lecture-Room Hymn-Book: containing the psalms and hymns of the book of common prayer, together with a choice selection of additional hymns, and an appendix of chants and tunes... #T100Image
The Liturgy and Hymns of the American Province of the Unitas Fratrum #855Image
The Liturgy and the Office of Worship and Hymns of the American Province of the Unitas Fratrum, or the Moravian Church #267Image
The Lyrica: a collection of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, adapted to general use #452Image
The Methodist Hymnal #709Image
The Modern Psalmist #d55
The National Hymn Book of the American Churches: comprising the hymns which are common to the hymnaries of the Baptists, Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians... #107Image
The New Congregational Hymn and Tune Book, for Public, Social and Private Worship #575Image
The Olive Branch #d36
The Presbyterian Hymnal #840Image
The Presbyterian Hymnal #840Image
The Psalmody: a collection of hymns for public and social worship #978Image
The Psaltery #d50
The Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book, for the Service of Song in the House of the Lord #362cImage
The Sabbath Hymn Book. Baptist ed. #d204
The Sacred Lyre #d72
The Sacred Lyre: a new collection of hymns and tunes, for social and family worship #381
The Service of Praise #d71
The Service of Song for Baptist Churches #d182
The Soldier's Hymn Book. 2nd ed. #d46
The Tribute of Praise: a collection of hymns and tunes for public and social worship, and for the use in the family circle and Sabbath school #503Image
The Tribute of Praise: a collection of hymns and tunes for public and social worship, and for use in the family circle #503Image
The Tribute of praise and Methodist Protestant Hymn Book. #503Image
The Vestry Hymn and Tune Book #d94
The Vestry Hymn Book #d100
The Virginia Selection of Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs: from the most approved authors; adapted to the various occasions of public and social meetings (New Ed. Enl. and Imp.) #639Image
The Wesleyan Methodist Hymnal #d127
Virginia Selection of Psalms #d109