1 If God within these evil days His mercy were not sharing, No strength or grace could we obtain; Our hearts would be despairing, A remnant small, a handful we, By many haughty men to be Despised and persecuted. 2 The enemy is wrathful still, But God with wise direction Has saved us from the worldly lure And giv’n our soul protection. For unbelief with many woes Has thus increased, and overflows, The world, as does a river. 3 We thank Thee, Lord, we are redeemed! Our soul they could not capture, For as a bird from nets released, We have escaped in rapture. The bonds are loosed, and we are free, And strength’ning grace we find in Thee, The God of earth and heaven.