The Psalter ‎#122

122. The Martyr Church

1 Thou, Lord, hast forsaken, to shame brought our boasts;
No more to the field dost Thou go with out hosts;
Thou turnest us back from the foe in dismay,
And spoilers who hate us have made us their prey.

2 Like sheep to the slaughter Thy people are giv'n,
Dispersed through the nations afar we are driv'n;
Thou sellest Thy people to strangers for naught,
Their price to Thy treasure no increase has brought.

3 Thou makest our neighbors reproach us in pride,
And those that are near us to scoff and deride;
A byword the nations have made of our name,
With scorn and derision they put us to shame.

4 Yea, all the day long I behold my disgrace,
And covered am I with confusion of face;
The voice of blasphemers and scoffers I hear,
The foe and avenger against me appear.

5 All this have we suffered,and never forgot
To serve Thee, Jehovah, nor falsely have wrought;
Our heart is not turned and our steps have not strayed,
Tho' crushed amid ruins and under death's shade.

Text Information

• First Line: Thou, Lord, hast forsaken, to shame brough our boasts
• Title: The Martyr Church
• Meter: 11s
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1912
• Scripture:
  Psalm 44
• Topic: Afflictions: Complaint of; Christians: Persecuted and Sorrowing; Covenant: Keeping; Enemies: Many and Mighty; Heart: Good, Perfect, Pure and Upright; Judgments: On Nations; Judgments: On the Righteous; The Past; Perseverance; Prayer: Complaint in; The Righteous: Forsaken by God; Steadfastness; Church: Afflicted
• Notes: Stanzas 5-9

Tune Information

• Name: GOOD SHEPHERD
• Composer: Joseph Barnby
• Meter: 11s
• Key: D Major