The Psalms of David ‎#P12b

P12b. Help, Lord, for Men of Virtue fail

1 Help, Lord, for Men of Virtue fail,
Religion loses Ground;
The Sons of Violence prevail,
And Treacheries abound.

2 Their Oaths and Promises they break,
Yet act the Flatterer's Part;
With fair deceitful Lips they speak,
And with a double Heart.

3 If we reprove some hateful Lye,
How is their Fury stirr'd?
"Are not our Lips our own, they cry,
"And who shall be our Lord?"

4 Scoffers appear on every Side,
Where a vile Race of Men
Is rais'd to Seats of Pow'r and Pride,
And bears the Sword in vain.

Pause.

5 Lord, when Iniquities abound,
And Blasphemy grows bold,
When Faith is hardly to be found,
And Love is waxen cold;

6 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?

7 "Yes, saith the Lord, now will I rise,
"And make Oppressors flee;
"I shall appear to their Surprize,
"And set my Servants free.

8 Thy Word, like Silver seven Times try'd,
Thro' Ages shall endure;
Then Men that in thy Truth confide,
Shall find the Promise sure.

Text Information

• First Line: Help, Lord, for Men of Virtue fail
• Meter: Common Metre
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1766
• Scripture:
  Psalm 12
• Topic: Atheism: practical; Christ: his coming, the signs of it; Complaint: of quarellsome Neighbors; Complaint: Pride, Atheisim, Oppression, etc.; Corruption of Manners general; Enemies: destroyed; Evil times; Falsehood: and oppression, deliverance from them; Falsehood: Blasphemy, etc.; Flattery and Deceit complained of; Hypocrites and hypocrisy; Saints: safety in evil times; Sin of Tongue

Tune Information

(No tune information)