2 Behold the wicked bend their bow,
And fit their arrows to the string;
To lay the men of virtue low,
In secrecy their darts they fling.
3 If government be once destroyed
(That firm foundation of our peace,)
And violence make justice void,
Where shall the righteous seek redress? 4 The Lord in heaven has fixed his throne, His eye surveys the world below; To him all mortal things are known, His eyelids search our spirits through. 5 If he afflicts his saints so far,
To prove their love and try their grace,
What may the bold transgressors fear?
His soul abhors their wicked ways.
6 On impious wretches he will rain
Sulphureous flames of wasting death,
Such as he kindled on the plain
Of Sodom, with his angry breath.
7 The righteous Lord loves righteous souls,
Whose thoughts and actions are sincere;
And with a gracious eye beholds
The men that his own image bear.
PSALM 12. C. M.
ELP, Lord, for men of virtue fail,
Religion loses ground;
The sons of violence prevail,
And treacheries abound.
2 Their oaths and promises they break,
Yet act the flatterer's part:
With fair deceitful lips they speak,
And with a double heart.
3 If we reprove some hateful lie,
They scorn our faithful word!
"Are not our lips our own," they cry,
"And who shall be our Lord?"
4 Scoffers appear on every side,
Where a vile race of men
Is raised to seats of power and pride,
And bears the sword in vain.
5 Lord, when iniquities abound,
And blasphemy grows bold,
When faith is rarely to be found,
And love is waxing cold,
6 Is not thy chariot hastening on?
Hast thou not given the sign?
May we not trust and live upon
A promise so divine?
7 "Yes," saith the Lord, "now will I rise, And make th' oppressors flee;
I shall appear to their surprise,
And set my servants free."
8 Thy word, like silver seven times tried, Through ages shall endure;
The men that in thy truth confide
Shall find thy promise sure.
How long wilt thou conceal thy face?
My God, how long delay?
When shall I feel those heavenly rays
That chase my fears away?
2 How long shall my poor labouring soul Wrestle and toil in vain?
Thy word can all my foes control,
And ease my raging pain.
2 Behold the wicked bend their bow,
And fit their arrows to the string;
To lay the men of virtue low,
In secrecy their darts they fling.
3 If government be once destroyed
(That firm foundation of our peace,)
And violence make justice void,
Where shall the righteous seek redress?
4 The Lord in heaven has fixed his throne,
His eye surveys the world below;
To him all mortal things are known,
His eyelids search our spirits through.
5 If he afflicts his saints so far,
To prove their love and try their grace,
What may the bold transgressors fear?
His soul abhors their wicked ways.
6 On impious wretches he will rain a Sulphureous flames of wasting death,
Such as he kindled on the plaine
Of Sodom, with his angry breath.
7 The righteous Lord loves righteous souls,
Whose thoughts and actions are sincere ;
And with a gracious eye beholds
The men that his own image bear.
3 If we reprove some hateful lie,
They scorn our faithful word!
"Are not our lips our own," they cry,
"And who shall be our Lord?"
4 Scoffers appear on every side,
Where a vile race of men
Is raised to seats of power and pride,
And bears the sword in vain.
5 Lord, when iniquities abound,
And blasphemy grows bold,
When faith is rarely to be found,
And love is waxing cold,
6 Is not thy chariot hastening on?
Hast thou not given the sign?
May we not trust and live upon
A promise so divine?
7 "Yes," saith the Lord, "now will I rise, And make th' oppressors flee;
I shall appear to their surprise,
And set my servants free."
8 Thy word, like silver seven times tried,
Through ages shall endure;
The men that in thy truth confide
Shall find thy promise sure.
How long wilt thou conceal thy face?
My God, how long delay?
When shall I feel those heavenly rays
That chase my fears away?
2 How long shall my poor labouring soul Wrestle and toil in vain?
Thy word can all my foes control,
And ease my raging pain.
3 See how the prince of darkness tries
All his malicious arts;
He spreads a mist around my eyes,
And throws his fiery darts.
4 Be thou my sun, and thou my shield,
My soul in safety keep;
Make haste before mine eyes are scaled
In death's eternal sleep.
5 How would the tempter boast aloud
Should I become his prey!
Behold the sons of hell grow proud
To see thy long delay.
6 But they shall flee at thy rebuke,
And Satan hide his head;
He knows the terrors of thy look,
And hears thy voice with dread.
7 Thou wilt display thy sovereign grace,
Whence all my comforts spring;
I shall employ my lips in praise,
And thy salvation sing.
OOLS in their hearts believe and say,
That all religion 's vain,
"There is no God that reigns on high,
Or minds th' affairs of men."
2 From thoughts so dreadful and profane Corrupt discourse proceeds;
And in their impious hands are found
Abominable deeds.
3 The Lord from his celestial throne,
Looked down on things below,
To find the man that sought his grace,
Or did his justice know.
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