Author: Isaac Watts Hymnal: Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, The #Ps.24 (1806) Meter: 8.6.8.6 Topics: Complaint pride, atheism, oppression, etc; Pride and atheism, and oppression punished; Corruption of manners general; Times evil; Atheism practical; Christ his coming, the signs of it; Enemies destroyed; Evil times; Falsehood and oppression, deliverance from them; Flattery and deceit complained of; Hypocrites and hypocrisy; Saints safety in evil times; Signs of Christ's coming; Sins of tongue First Line: Help, Lord, for men of virtue fail Lyrics:
Help, Lord, for men of virtue fail,
Religion loses ground,
The sons of violence prevail,
And treacheries abound.
Their oaths and promises they break,
Yet act the flatterer's part;
With fair, deceitful lips they speak,
And with a double heart.
If we reprove some hateful lie,
How is their fury stirred
"Are not our lips our own?" they cry;
"And who shall be our Lord?"
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.
Lord, when iniquities abound,
And blasphemy grows bold;
When faith is hardly to be found,
And love is waxing cold;
Is not thy chariot hast'ning on?
Hast thou not giv'n this sign?
May we not trust and live upon
A promise so divine?
"Yes," saith the Lord, "now will I rise,
And make oppressors flee;
I shall appear to their surprise,
And set my servants free."
Thy word, like silver sev'n times tried,
Through ages shall endure;
The men that in thy truth confide
Shall find the promise sure.
Scripture: Psalm 12 Languages: English
Psalm 12