O wherefore Lord as unconcerned

1. O wherefore, Lord, as unconcerned,
Dost thou so far remove?
Why lays concealed thy power, and grace,
When times distressing prove?
2. The wicked persecutes the poor,
In his abounding pride.
Caught in the snares, which they devised.
May their own foot abide.

3. The wicked boasts his heart's desire
Is crowned with fair success;
He impiously the Lord abhors,
But does the worldling bless.
4. The wicked, through his daring pride,
To seek the Lord disdains;
No serious thought of God, within
His haughty heart, remains.

5. He ever walks in grievous ways;
Thy judgments far are borne
Above his sight; his enemies,
He puffs, at them with scorn.
6. His heart's vain confidence hath said,
"My state no change shall see;
For I, secure from every ill,
Shall be forever free."

7. His mouth with execration's filled,
With gross deceit, and lies;
His fair tongue mischief doth conceal.
And injuries disguise.
8. Hid, in some lurking place, he lies.
Near villages; intent.
With watchful eyes, against the poor,
To slay the innocent.

9. As lions couching in their dens,
He waits to catch the poor;
And those he draws within his net,
Doth eagerly devour.
10. Down doth he crouch, down to the dust,
In humble postures all;
That, in his strong devouring jaws,
The poor may heedless fall.

11. He thinks, that God forgets his deeds,
Or turns away his sight;
And never will behold his rage,
His violence, and spite.

Second Part

12. But now arise, O mighty God,
O Lord, lift up thy hand;
Forget not thy poor suffering saints,
Defense for them command.
13. For wherefore should the wicked man,
With insult, God condemn?
And proudly say, "Thou wilt not care,
Or, what they do condemn?"
14. But thou dost mark their wrong and spite,
With strong hand to reward;
The poor commits himself to thee,
Thou art the orphan's guard.

15. Break thou the arm of wicked men,
Their evil arts confound;
Search out, and punish, their vile deeds,
Till there no more be found.
16. The Lord is universal King,
Whose kingdom ever stands;
The heathen tribes are rooted out.
And perished, from thy lands.

17. Thou, Lord, the humble man's desire
Hast still been wont to hear;
Thou wilt prepare their heart, and then
Vouchsafe a gracious ear.
18. To judge the cause, and plead the right,
Of poor and fatherless;
That so the man of earth no more,
With terrors may oppress.

A New Version of the Psalms of David, 1752