Lord, While for All Mankind

Lord, While for All Mankind

Text written in 1837 by John R. Wreford (1800-1881)

Sung to DUNFERMLINE C.M., from "Scottish Psalter, 1615"

Psalm 85:1 You, Lord, showed favor to your land;

you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

V. 1 Lord, while for all mankind we pray,

Of every clime and coast,

O hear us for our native land,

The land we love the most.

V. 2 O guard our shores from every foe;

With peace our borders bless;

With prosperous times our cities crown,

Our fields with plenteousness.

Psalm 65:12, 13 The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.

The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain;

they shout for joy and sing.

V. 3 Unite us in the sacred love

Of knowledge, truth, and Thee,

And let our hills and valleys shout

The songs of liberty.

V. 4 Lord of the nations, thus to Thee

Our country we commend;

Be Thou her refuge and her trust, 

Her everlasting friend.