The Psalms of David ‎#XIIa

XIIa. The Saint's Safety and hope in evil Times; or, Sins of the Tongue complained of, namely, Blasphemy, Falshood, etc.

1 LORD, if thou dost not soon appear,
Virtue and truth will fly away;
A faithful man amongst us here
Will scarce be found if thou delay.

2 The whole discourse when neighbors meet,
Is fill'd with trifles loose and vain;
Their lips are flatt'ry and deceit,
And their proud language is profane.

3 But lips that with deceit abound
Shall not maintain their triumph long;
The GOD of vengeance will confound
The flatt'ring and blaspheming tongue.

4 "Yet shall our words be free, they cry;
"Our tongues shall be controul'd by none:
"Where is the Lord will ask us why?
"Or say, our lips are not our own?

5 The LORD, who sees the poor opprest,
And hears the oppressor's haughty strain,
Will rise to give his children rest,
Nor shall they trust his word in vain.

6 Thy word, O Lord, tho' often try'd,
Void of deceit shall still appear;
Not silver, sev'n times purify'd
From dross and mixture, shines so clear.

7 Thy grace shall in the darkest hour
Defend the holy soul from harm:
Tho' when the vilest men have pow'r,
On ev'ry side will sinners swarm.

Text Information

• First Line: LORD, if thou dost not soon appear
• Title: The Saint's Safety and hope in evil Times; or, Sins of the Tongue complained of, namely, Blasphemy, Falshood, etc.
• Meter: Long Metre
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1780
• Scripture:
  Psalm 12

Tune Information

(No tune information)