Dr. Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David ‎#23

23. Why doth the Lord stand off so far

1 Why doth the Lord stand off so far,
And why conceal his face,
When great calamities appear,
And times of deep distress?

2 Lord, shall the wicked still deride
Thy justice and thy power?
Shall they advance their heads in pride,
And still thy saints devour?

3 They put thy judgments from their sight,
And then insult the poor;
They boast in their exalted height,
That they shall fall no more.

4 Arise, O God, lift up thine hand,
Attend our humble cry:
No enemy shall dare to stand,
When God ascends on high.

Pause.

5 Why do the men of malice rage,
And say with foolish pride,
'The God of heaven will ne'er engage
'To fight on Zion's side?'

6 But thou forever art our Lord,
And pow'rful is thine hand;
As when the Heathens felt thy sword,
And perish'd from thy land.

7 Thou wilt prepare our hearts to pray,
And cause thine ear to hear:
He hearkens what his children say,
And puts the world in fear.

8 Proud tyrants shall no more oppress,
No more despise the just;
And mighty sinners shall confess
They are but earth and dust.

Text Information

• First Line: Why doth the Lord stand off so far
• Meter: C. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1790
• Scripture:
  Psalm 10
• Notes: Now Public Domain.

Tune Information

(No tune information)