PSALM 115
205 L. M.
The true God our refuge; or, Idolatry reproved.
Not to ourselves, who are but dust, Not to ourselves is glory due, Eternal God, thou only just, Thou only gracious, wise, and true. | Shine forth in all thy dreadful name; Why should a heathen's haughty tongue Insult us, and, to raise our shame, Say, "Where's the God you've served so long?" | The God we serve maintains his throne Above the clouds, beyond the skies; Through all the earth his will is done; He knows our groans, he hears our cries. | But the vain idols they adore Are senseless shapes of stone and wood; At best a mass of glitt'ring ore, A silver saint or golden god. | [With eyes and ears they carve their head; Deaf are their ears, their eyes are blind; In vain are costly off'rings made, And vows are scattered in the wind. | Their feet were never made to move, Nor hands to save when mortals pray; Mortals that pay them fear or love Seem to be blind and deaf as they.] | O Isr'el! make the Lord thy hope, Thy help, thy refuge, and thy rest; The Lord shall build thy ruins up, And bless the people and the priest. | The dead no more can speak thy praise, They dwell in silence and the grave; But we shall live to sing thy grace, And tell the world thy power to save. | |