My Harp Untuned, and Laid Aside

My harp un­tuned

and laid aside

To cheer­ful hours the harp be­longs;

My cru­el foes

in­sult­ing cried

Come

sing us one of Zi­on’s songs.

Alas! when sin­ners

blind­ly bold

At Zi­on scoff

and Zi­on’s king;

When zeal de­clines

and love grows cold

Is this a day for me to sing?

Time was

when­e’er the saints I met

With joy and praise my bos­om glowed;

But now

like Eli

sad I sit

And trem­ble for the ark of God.

While thus to grief my soul gave way

To see the work of God de­cline;

Methought I heard my Sav­ior say

“Dismiss thy fears

the ark is Mine.

“Though for a time I hide My face

Rely up­on My love and pow­er;

Still wres­tle at a throne of grace

And wait for a re­viv­ing hour.

Take down thy long ne­glect­ed harp

I’ve seen thy tears

and heard thy pray­er;

The win­ter sea­son has been sharp

But spring shall all its wastes re­pair.

Lord

I ob­ey

my hopes re­vive

Come join with me

ye saints

and sing;

Our foes in vain against us strive;

For God will help and heal­ing bring.