The suffering poor

1 Why dost Thou stand afar,
O Lord,in our distress?
And why dost Thou conceal Thyself
When troublous times oppress?

2 Do Thou, O Lord, arise;
O God, lift up Thy hand;
Forget Thou not the suffering poor,
The humble in the land.

3 Their foes Thou dost behold,
Their wrongs Thou wilt repay;
The poor commit themselves to Thee,
Thou art the orphan's stay.

4 Thou, Lord, hast heard their prayer
With humble hearts drew nigh;
Thou also wilt revive their strength
And ever hear their cry.

5 Defend the fatherless
And all who are oppressed,
That they by human pride and power
May be no more distressed.

The Psalter: with responsive readings, 1912

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #7162