Judge eternal, throned in splendour,
Lord of lords and King of kings,
with Your living fire of judgement
purge this realm of bitter things;
solace all its wide dominion
with the healing of Your wings.

Still the weary folk are pining
for the hour that brings release;
and the city's crowded clangour
cries aloud for sin to cease;
and the homesteads and the woodlands
plead in silence for their peace.

Crown, O God, Your own endeavour;
cleave our darkness with Your sword;
feed the faithless and the hungry
with the richness of Your word;
cleanse the body of this nation
through the glory of the Lord.


Henry Scott Holland (1847 - 1918) altd