1 IF our God had not befriended,
Now may grateful Israel say,
If the Lord had not defended,
When with foes we stood at bay,
Madly raging,
Deeming our sad lives their prey:
2 Then the tide of vengeful slaughters
O'er us had been seen to roll,
And their pride, like angry waters,
Had engulfed our struggling soul,
The loud waters,
Proud and spurning all control.
3 Praise to God, whose mercy-token
Beamed to still that raging sea:
Lo, the snare is rent and broken,
And our captive souls are free!
Lord of glory,
Help can come alone from thee!