Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David ‎#21

21. God loves the righteous, and hates the wicked

1 My refuge is the God of love;
Why do my foes insult and cry,
Fly like a timorous trembling dove,
To distant woods or mountains fly?

2 If government be once destroy'd,
(That firm foundation of our peace)
And violence make justice void,
Where shall the righteous seek redress?

3 The Lord in heaven has fix'd his throne,
His eye surveys the world below;
To him all mortal things are known;
His eye-lids search our spirits through.

4 If he afflicts his saints so far,
To prove their love, and try their grace,
What may the bold transgressors fear?
His soul abhors their wicked ways.

5 On impious wretches he shall rain
Sulpherous flames of wasting death,
Such as he kindled on the plain
Of Sodom, with his angry breath.

6 The righteous Lord loves righteous souls,
Whose thoughts and actions are sincere,
And with a gracious eye beholds
The men that his own image bear.

Text Information

• First Line: My refuge is the God of love
• Title: God loves the righteous, and hates the wicked
• Meter: Long Metre
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1790
• Scripture:
  Psalm 11
• Topic: Corruption of Manners general; Evil Magistrates; Evil times; Portion of saints and sinners; Punishment of Sinners; Saints: happy and Sinners cursed

Tune Information

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