PSALM 44
78 v.1-3,8,15-26
C. M.
The church's complaint in persecution.
PAUSE.
79 | Lord, we have heard thy works of old, Thy works of power and grace, When to our ears our fathers told The wonders of their days. | | How thou didst build thy churches here, And make thy gospel known; Amongst them did thine arm appear, Thy light and glory shone. | | In God they boasted all the day, And in a cheerful throng Did thousands meet to praise and pray, And grace was all their song. | | But now our souls are seized with shame, Confusion fills our face, To hear the enemy blaspheme, And fools reproach thy grace. | | Yet have we not forgot our God, Nor falsely dealt with heav'n, Nor have our steps declined the road Of duty thou hast giv'n; | | Though dragons all around us roar With their destructive breath, And thine own hand has bruised us sore Hard by the gates of death. | | We are exposed all day to die As martyrs for thy cause, As sheep for slaughter bound we lie By sharp and bloody laws. | | Awake, arise, Almighty Lord, Why sleeps thy wonted grace? Why should we look like men abhorred Or banished from thy face? | | Wilt thou for ever cast us off, And still neglect our cries? For ever hide thine heav'nly love From our afflicted eyes? | | Down to the dust our soul is bowed, And dies upon the ground; Rise for our help, rebuke the proud, And all their powers confound. | | Redeem us from perpetual shame, Our Savior and our God; We plead the honors of thy name, The merits of thy blood. | |