In a time of endless hatred

In a time of endless hatred, playing hard upon our fears,

First one shooting, then another, draining all our store of tears;

Will this always be our fortune, marking all our days and years?

 

Yet we know, when we remember what our history has taught,

That this violence is no new thing; is our living all for nought?

Will we ever learn your justice? Can we live as yet we ought?

 

From the making of false idols, hollow strength and wayward pride,

Claiming slaughter as a birthright with these weapons that divide; 

From such horrifying falsehood, teach us, Lord, to turn aside.

 

In our tears and in our anger, let us never be dismayed; 

You are still our God, no matter how those demons are arrayed. 

Let our hope be founded on you; teach us not to be afraid.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, November 2022.

MUSIC: Tune TRINITY, Peter Cutts, 1983. Copyright 1983 Hope Publishing Company (hence not reproduced here).

I struggle with responses to recent events, especially tragedies or especially crimes of the like that have been too common of late (unlike others whose hymns can be found in these realms). It's too easy to slip into anger, and to paraphrase David Banner you wouldn't like my writing when I'm angry. But eventually something has to come out. This is what came out today. We'll see if it develops.