LYRICS
| Meter: | 8 6 8 6 (C.M.)
| | Writer(s): | Nicholas Brady & Nahum Tate
| | Transl/Adapt: |
| | Dates: | 1696
| | Bible Refs: | Ps 55:9-17
| A New Version of the Psalms of David
| 1821
| 55
|
| 1. Destroy, O Lord, their ill designs,
their counsels soon divide;
For through the city my grieved eyes
have strife and rapine spied.
2. By day and night on ev'ry wall
they walked their constant round;
And in the midst of all her strength
are grief and mischief found.
3. Whoe'er through ev'ry part shall roam,
with fresh disorders meet;
Deceit and guile their constant posts
maintain in ev'ry street.
4. For 'twas not any open foe
that false reflections made;
For then I could with ease have borne
the bitter things he said:
5. 'Twas none who hatred had professed,
that did against me rise;
For then I had withdrawn myself
from his malicious eyes.
6. But 'twas e'en thou, my guide, my friend,
whom tend'rest love did join;
Whose sweet advice I valued most,
whose pray'rs were mixed with mine.
7. Sure vengeance, equal to their crimes,
such traitors must surprise:
And sudden death requite those ills,
they wickedly devise.
8. But I will call on God, who still
shall in my aid appear;
At morn, at noon, at night I'll pray,
and he my voice shall hear.
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