Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David ‎#XIIa

XIIa. The Saint's Safety and Hope in evil Times: Or, Sins of the Tongue complained of, viz. Blasphemy, Falshood, etc.

1 Almighty GOD, appear and save!
For vice and vanity prevail:
The godly perish in the grave,
The just depart, the faithful fail.

2 The whole discourse, when crouds are met,
Is fill'd with trifles loose and vain;
Their lips are flattery and deceit,
And their proud language is profane.

3 But lips that with deceit abound
Shall not maintain their triumph long;
The God of vengeance will confound
The flattering and blaspheming tongue.

4 "Yet shall our words be free, they cry;
"Our tongues shall be control'd by none:
"Where is the Lord will ask us why?
"Or say, our lips are not our own?

5 The Lord, who sees the poor oppress'd,
And hears th' oppressor's haughty strain,
Will rise to give his children rest,
Nor shall they trust his word in vain.

6 Thy word, O Lord, tho' often try'd,
Void of deceit shall still appear;
Not silver, seven times purify'd
From dross and mixture, shines so clear.

7 Thy grace shall in the darkest hour
Defend the from danger and surprise;
Tho' when the vilest men have power,
On every side oppressors rise.

Text Information

• First Line: Almighty God, appear and save!
• Title: The Saint's Safety and Hope in evil Times: Or, Sins of the Tongue complained of, viz. Blasphemy, Falshood, etc.
• Meter: Long Metre
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1785
• Scripture:
  Psalm 12

Tune Information

(No tune information)