C. M.

Love to enemies from the example of Christ.

God of my mercy and my praise,

Thy glory is my song,

Though sinners speak against thy grace

With a blaspheming tongue.

When in the form of mortal man

Thy Son on earth was found,

With cruel slanders, false and vain,

They compassed him around.

Their miseries his compassion move,

Their peace he still pursued;

They render hatred for his love,

And evil for his good.

Their malice raged without a cause,

Yet, with his dying breath,

He prayed for murderers on his cross,

And blessed his foes in death.

Lord, shall thy bright example shine

In vain before my eyes?

Give me a soul akin to thine,

To love my enemies.

The Lord shall on my side engage,

And, in my Savior's name,

I shall defeat their pride and rage

Who slander and condemn.