Sure, wicked fools must needs suppose

1 Sure wicked fools must needs suppose,
that God is nothing but a name:
Corrupt and lewd their practice grows,
no breast is warm'd with holy flame.

2 The Lord look'd down from Heav'n's high tow'r,
and all the sons of men did view,
To see if any own'd his pow'r';
if any truth or justice knew.

3 But all, he saw, were gone aside,
all were degen'rate grown and base;
None took religion for their guide,
not one of all the sinful race.

4 But can these workers of deceit
be all so dull and senseless grown,
That they, like bread my people eat,
and God's almighty pow'r disown?

5 How will they tremble then for fear,
when his just wrath shall them o'ertake?
For to the righteous, God is near,
and never will their cause forsake.

6 Ill men, in vain, with scorn expose
those methods which the good pursue;
Since God a refuge is for those
whom his just eyes with favour view.

7 Would he his saving pow'r employ
to break his people's servile band;
Then shouts of universal joy
should loudly echo through the land.

Source: The Whole Book of Psalms: in metre; with hymns suited to the feasts and fasts of the church, and other occasions of public worship #XIV