The Psalms of David ‎#LV

LV. Give Ear, thou Judge of all the Earth

1 Give Ear, thou Judge of all the Earth,
And listen when to thee I pray;
Nor from thy humble Suppliant turn,
Thy glorious Face, O LORD, away;
Do thou bow down thy gracious Ear,
Whilst I my mournful Case declare.

2 Hark, how the Foe insults aloud,
And how my fierce Oppressors rage;
Whose sland'ring Tongues against my Fame,
With growing Malice still engage.
My Soul's with trembling Fears distress'd,
My Heart with Horror quite oppress'd.

3 How often wish I then, that I
The Dove's swift soaring Wings could get;
That I might take my speedy Flight,
And find out some secure Retreat:
Then would I through wild Desarts stray,
'Till this fierce Storm had pass'd away.

4 Destroy, O LORD, their ill Designs,
Do thou their Counsels soon divide;
For through the City my griev'd Eyes,
Have nought but Strife and Rapine spy'd:
Within her Walls they walk their round,
Where Grief and Mischief still is found.

5 Whoe'er through every Part shall roam,
Shall ever fresh Disorders meet;
Deceit and Guile their constant Posts,
Have still maintain'd in ev'ry Street:
Daily their wicked Plots encrease,
Their treach'rous Actions never cease.

6 'Twas not my open Foe profess'd
Who these severe Reflections made;
For then I could with Ease have borne,
The many bitter Things he said:
And when he did against me rise,
Have hid from his malicious Eyes.

7 But 'twas ev'n thou, my Guide my Friend,
Whom tend'rest Love to me did join;
Whose sweet Advice I valued most,
Whose Pray'rs were always mix'd with mine:
Ev'n thou, whose Converse I approv'd,
My Bosom Friend, whom most I lov'd.

8 Sure Vengeance, equal to their Crimes,
Such faithless Traitors must surprise;
And sudden Death requite those Ills,
Which they with wickedly Hearts devise:
But GOD shall in my Aid appear,
And Night and Day my Voice shall hear.

9 GOD has releas'd my Soul from those,
That did against my Life contend;
And made a num'rous Host of Friends,
At length my righteous Cause defend:
The LORD my mournful Voice shall hear,
And punish those who know no Fear.

10 Whom can I trust, if faithless Men,
With secret Treachery devise
To ruin me, their peaceful Friend,
And basely break the strongest Ties:
21 Tho' soft and melting are their Words,
Their Hearts with War and Strife abound,
Their Words though smooth like Daggers wound.
and yet like Swords they wound.

11 Do thou, my Soul, on GOD depend,
And he shall thy Life sustain;
He aids the Just, whom to supplant,
The Wicked ever strive in vain:
My Foes shall all untimely die;
Whilst I for Health on GOD rely.

Text Information

• First Line: Give Ear, thou Judge of all the Earth
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1767
• Scripture:
  Psalm 55
• Topic: Description of: Hyprocisy; Prayers: When betrayed by false friends; Prayers: When surrounded by Enemies; Prophecies: Prophetical Curses against the Enemies and Persecutors of the Chruch

Tune Information

• Name: [Give Ear, thou Judge of all the Earth]
• Key: d minor