Promise To Penitents

Tune: Tyrol

('A man there lived in Galilee')

Joel 2 v12-18

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Now says the Lord, Turn you to me

with all your heart, so be

And with fasting, and with weeping

Suspending joyful sing

Come with mourning, and your heart rend

To repentance attend

Not outward acts of rending clothes

But what [your] inward state shows

 

Turn to the Lord your God, for He

Gracious, merciful be

Slow to anger, of great kindness

Seek Him, he will you bless

He will relent, let not evil

Have its way or its will

Who knows if he will rest content

Return to [the] penitent?

 

He may leave blessings so that we

Can give Him offerings free

Fruit of the land, or wholesome grain

We shall then give again

Blow trumpet in Zion, to call

People to Him, yes all

Consecrate a fast, and Him seek

He shall tend humble, meek

 

Call a solemn assembly here

And gather people near

The congregation sanctify

Set them apart, God nigh

Elders, children, and babies

And those just married new

Men and women, and priests that weep

Confess we wayward sheep

 

Priests pray, say, Lord, your people spare

You the Lord just and fair

Give us not over to reproach

That heathen not us broach

Nor say, Where is your God, where He?

Now you deserted be

But then the Lord will jealous be

And His land restore, see