Sure, wicked fools must needs suppose

1 Sure wicked fools must needs suppose
That God is nothing but a name:
Corrupt and lewd their practice grows,
No breast is warm'd with holy flame.

2 The Lord look'd down from heav'n's high tow'r
And all the sons of men did view,
To see if any own'd his pow'r';
If any truth or justice knew.

3 But all, he saw, were gone aside;
All were degen'rate grown, and base:
None took religion for their guide,
Not one of all the sinful race.

4 But can these workers of deceit
Be all so dull and senseless grown,
That they, like bread, my people eat,
And God's almighty pow'r disown?

5 How will they tremble then for fear,
When his just wrath shall them o'ertake?
For, to the righteous, God is near,
And never will their cause forsake.

6 Ill men in vain with scorn expose
The methods which the good pursue;
Since God a refuge is for those
Whom his just eyes with favour view.

7 Would he his saving pow'r employ,
To break his people's servile band;
Then shouts of universal joy
Shall loudly echo through the land.

Source: The Psalms of David: with hymns and spiritual songs: also, the catechism, confession of faith, and liturgy of the Reformed Church in the Netherlands #14