O’ Church

The Adoration of the Golden Calf (1633-1634) by Nicolas Poussin

O’ Church, dost thou not hear His mighty cry,

The roar of glory vexed to anger nigh?

Rouse thyself, O’ ye sluggardly brethren,

The devils shudder and the wicked run,

Yet ye slumber as disgraceful sons.

Make haste for sake of life and liberty!

Make haste for love of goodness and mercy!

Make haste for everlasting song and mirth!

Make haste for the child robbed of birth!

Make haste for the Lord of Heaven and Earth!

Make haste, make haste, make haste, make haste

Make haste, make haste, make haste, make haste

O’ Church, dost thou not read His Holy Canon,

The Word spake with sound of angels legion?

Dumb and blind, thy faith is torn asunder.

Come, Holy Ghost, stir our hearts to hunger

For truths divine and wisdoms of wonder.

Come now to the banquet clothed in Christ!

Come now to the altar of sacrifice!

Come now to the cross with confession!

Come now to the fount of redemption!

Come now to the throne of His ascension!

Come now, come now, come now, come now

Come now, come now, come now, come now

Lay thy weared conscience down.

Pick thy cross off dusty ground.

That when His cup of wrath be loosed

Ye shan’t be ‘mongst those accused

But in His bosom thy soul reduced.