LYRICS
| Meter: | 8 6 8 6 (C.M.)
| | Writer(s): | Nicholas Brady & Nahum Tate
| | Transl/Adapt: |
| | Dates: | 1696
| | Bible Refs: | Ps 52
| A New Version of the Psalms of David
| 1821
| 52
|
| 1. In vain, O man of lawless might,
thou boast'st thyself in ill;
Since God, the God in Whom I trust,
vouchsafes his favor still.
2. Thy wicked tongue doth sland'rous tales
maliciously devise;
And, sharper than a razor set,
it wounds with treach'rous lies.
3. Thy thoughts are more on ill than good,
on lies than truth employed;
Thy tongue delights in words, by which
the guiltless axe destroyed.
4. God shall for ever blast thy hopes,
and snatch thee soon away;
Nor in thy dwelling-place permit,
nor in the world to stay.
5. The just, with pious fear, shall see
the downfall of thy pride;
And at thy sudden ruin laugh,
and thus thy fall deride:
6. "See there the man that haughty was,
who proudly God defied,
"Who trusted in his wealth, and still
on wicked arts relied."
7. But I am like those olive plants
that shade God's temple round;
And hope with his indulgent grace
to be for ever crowned.
8. So shall my soul with praise, O God,
extol thy wondrous love;
And on thy Name with patience wait;
for this thy saints approve.
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