Who Can Say

Who can say you are neither good nor just,
When the rain that falls on the mountain
Satisfies a wanderer’s thirst,
And drowns a village in the valley;
Or, the sun withers a grassy meadow
With its unquenchable heat,
As its rays feed the green earth
And all who feast upon it?
Whose host of locusts satisfies the weary pilgrim,
While their unbroken ranks devour wealthy states?
Justice and mercy fall in even strokes,
Can make the bitter sweet,
And the soft touch a hard blow.
Hasn’t the painful stroke revived faith,
Even as sweetness has stolen love?
You, in your wisdom, are just and kind,
The source of all healing,
And the bringer of true terror,
So that no man can stand and boast.
Who has seen the full strength of your wrath,
Or felt the full embrace of your mercy?
Who has tasted all of your judgments and pleasures?
How full are your gifts!
How rich are your judgments!
Let everyone come to love you
And give praise to the Father of every living thing.
Honor His name. Amen.