PXLIV. To the chief Musician, for the sons of Korah, Maschil.

1 We with our ears have heard, O God,
Our fathers have us told,
What works thou wroughtest in their days,
Ev'n in the times of old
2 How thy hand drave the heathen out,
And planted them thou hast;
How thou the people didst afflict,
And out thy didst them cast.

3 For by their sword they did not get
The land's possession.
Nor was it their own arm that did
Work their salvation;
But thy right hand, thine arm also,
Thy countenances light;
Because that of thine own good will
Thou didst in them delight.

4 Thou art my king, O mighty God,
Thou dost the same endure;
For Jacob by commandement
Deliverance procure.
5 Thro' thee as with an horn we will
Push down our enemies:
We thro' thy name will tread them down
That up against me rise.

6 Because it is not in my bow
That I affiance have:
Nor is it any sword of mine,
That shall at all me save.
7 But thou hast from our foes us sav'd,
And haters put to shame:
8 In God we all the day do boast,
And praise for aye thy name.

9 But now thou hast forsaken us,
And shame upon us cast:
Nor with our military troops
Gone forth to battel hast.
10 Back from before the enemy,
Thou mak'st us to recoyl:
They also that our haters be.
Do from themselves us spoil.

11 Thou hast us given like as sheep,
To slaughter that belong:
Thou hast us also scattered
The heathen folk among.
12 Thou dost thy people set to sale
For that which is no gain:
And by their prices no increase
Of riches dost obtain.

13 Unto our neighbours a reproach
Thou doest us expose:
A scorn we are and mocking stock
To them that us enclose.
14 Among the heathen people thou
A by-word dost us make,
Also among the nations,
At us their head they shake.

15 Before mine eyes continually
Abideth my disgrace:
And likewise with comfounded shame
O'er-covered is my face.
16 By reason of the enemy
And self-revenging wight.
17 Though all of this be come on us,
We have not thee forgot:
Likewise against thy covenant
Dealt falsly have we not.
18 Our hearts not turned back, nor have
Our steps from thy way stray'd.
19 Tho' us thou break'st in dragon's place
And hid'st us in death's shade.

20 Had we forgot God's name, or to
A strange God stretch'd our hands:
21 Shall not God search it out? for he
Hearts secrets understands.
22 Yea, we for thee are all day kill'd,
Counted as sheep to slay:
23 Awake, why sleep'st thou, Lord, arise,
Cast us not off for aye.

24 Thy countenance away from us
O wherefore dost thou hide?
Why dost thou mindless of our grief,
And sore distress abide?
25 For down to dust our soul is bow'd;
To th' earth our bellies cleave
26 O thou that art our help, arise,
In mercy us relieve.

Text Information
First Line: We with our ears have heard, O God
Title: To the chief Musician, for the sons of Korah, Maschil.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1742
Scripture:
Tune Information
(No tune information)



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