O God of Earth and Altar

G. K. Chesterton’s stunning hymn, O God of Earth and Altar, expresses the same concern of this website: to see the hand of the Lord at work in all of American society.  I’ve included it here for my readers’ consideration.

O God of Earth and Altar

                  by G.K. Chesterton

O God of earth and altar,
Bow down and hear our cry,
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die;
The walls of gold entomb us,
The swords of scorn divide,
Take not thy thunder from us,
But take away our pride.

From all that terror teaches,
From lies of tongue and pen,
From all the easy speeches
That comfort cruel men,
From sale and profanation
Of honour and the sword,
From sleep and from damnation,
Deliver us, good Lord.

Tie in a living tether
The prince and priest and thrall,
Bind all our lives together,
Smite us and save us all;
In ire and exultation
Aflame with faith, and free,
Lift up a living nation,
A single sword to thee.
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2 thoughts on “O God of Earth and Altar

  1. Hugh Maetzold July 31, 2013 / 12:14 pm

    I wish I had known of your interest in Chesterton as last night the Chesterton book club discussed Ballads and Ballades from Chesterton and a few others.

    • R. K. Pemberton July 31, 2013 / 2:05 pm

      Hugh, so you’re interested in Chesterton, too! Have you run across his little poem entitled “Wine and Water”? It great fun.

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