Evangelical Lutheran hymnal ‎#146

146. The mouth of fools doth God confess

1 The mouth of fools doth God confess,
But while their lips draw nigh Him
Their heart is full of wickedness,
And all their deeds deny Him.
Corrupt are they, and ev'ry one
Abominable deeds hath done;
There is not one well-doer.

2 The Lord looked from His high tower
On all mankind below Him
To see if any owned His power,
Who truly sought to know Him;
Who all their understanding bent
To search His holy Word, intent
To do His will in earnest.

3 But none there was who walked with God,
For all aside had slidden,
Delusive paths of folly trod,
And followed lusts forbidden;
Not one there was who practiced good,
Though many deemed, in haughty mood,
Their deeds to God were pleasing.

4 How long, by folly blindly led,
Will ye oppress the needy
And eat my people up like bread?
So fierce are ye and greedy!
In God they put no trust at all,
Nor will on Him in trouble call,
But be their own providers.

5 Therefore their heart is never still,
A falling leaf dismays them,
God is with him who doth His will,
Who trusts Him and obeys Him;
But ye the poor man's hope despise,
And mock him when he humbly cries
That God is his sure comfort.

6 Who shall to Israel’s outcast race
From Zion bring salvation?
God will Himself at length show grace,
And loose the captive nation;
That will He do by Christ their King;
Let Jacob then be glad and sing
And Israel be joyful.

Text Information

• First Line: The mouth of fools doth God confess
• Author: Dr. Martin Luther (1524)
• Translator: Richard Massie (1854)
• Meter: No. 20
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1908
• Topic: The Church Year: Reformation
• Notes: From the German text: Es spricht der Unweisen Mund

Tune Information

• Name: DECIUS (Allein Gott in der Hoch sei Ehr)
• Composer: Nicolaus Decius (1529)
• Meter: No. 20
• Key: G Major