If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say…when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
Psalm 124:1–4
Words: Isaac Watts, The Psalms of David 1719. A song for the 5th of November.
Music: Whitby Abbey R. Frank Lehman, 1901 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Lehman (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Had not the Lord, may Israel say,
Had not the Lord maintained our side,
When men, to make our lives a prey,
Rose like the swelling of the tide.
The swelling tide had stopped our breath,
So fiercely did the waters roll,
We had been swallowed deep in death;
Proud waters had o’erwhelmed our soul.
We leap for joy, we shout and sing,
Who just escaped the fatal stroke;
So flies the bird with cheerful wing,
When once the fowler’s snare is broke.
For ever blessèd be the Lord,
Who broke the fowler’s cursèd snare,
Who saved us from the murdering sword,
And made our lives and souls His care.
Our help is in Jehovah’s name,
Who formed the earth and built the skies:
He that upholds that wondrous frame
Guards His own Church with watchful eyes.