At length, by certain proofs, 'tis plain

Verse 1

At length, by certain proofs, 'tis plain That God will to his saints be kind! That all whose hearts are pure and clean, Shall his protecting favour find.

Verse 2

Till this sustaining truth I knew, My stagg'ring feet had almost fail'd: I griev'd, the sinners wealth to view, And envy'd when the fools prevail'd.

Verse 3

They to the grave in peace descend, And, whilst they live, are hale and strong; No plague or troubles them offend, Which oft to other men belong.

Verse 4

With pride, as with a chain, they're held, And rapine seems their robe of state; Their eyes stand out, with fatness swell'd; They grow beyond their wishes great.

Verse 5

With hearts corrupt, and lofty talk, Oppressive methods they defend; Their tongue through all the earth will walk, Their blasphemies to heav'n ascend.

Verse 6

And yet admiring crowds are found, Who servile visits duly make; Because with plenty they abound, Of which their flatt'ring slaves partake.

Verse 7

Their fond opinions these pursue, Till they with them profanely cry, "How should the Lord our actions view? "Can he perceive, who dwells so high?

Verse 8

Behold the wicked! these are they Who openly their sins profess; And yet their wealth's increas'd each day, And all their actions meet success.

Verse 9

"Then have I cleans'd my heart, (said I,) "And wash'd my hands from guilt, in vain; "If all the day oppress'd I lie, "And ev'ry morning suffer pain.

Verse 10

Thus did I once to speak intend: But if such things I rashly say, Thy children, Lord, I must offend, And basely should their cause betray.

Verse 11

To fathom this my thoughts I bent; But found the case too hard for me; Till to the house of God I went; Then I their end did plainly see.

Verse 12

How high soe'er advanc'd, they all On slipp'ry places loosely stand; Thence into ruin headlong fall, Cast down by thy avenging hand.

Verse 13

How dreadful and how quick their fate! Despis'd by thee, when they're destroy'd; As waking men with scorn do treat The fancies that their dreams employ'd.

Verse 14

Thus was my heart with grief opprest, My reins were rack'd with restless pains; So stupid was I like a beast, Who no reflecting thought retains.

Verse 15

Yet still thy presence me supply'd, And thy right handaAssistance gave; Thou first shalt with thy council guide And then to glory me receive.

Verse 16

Whom then in heav'n but thee alone Have I whose favour I require? Throughout the spacious earth there's none That I besides thee can desire.

Verse 17

My trembling flesh, and aching heart May often fail to succour me; But God shall inward strength impart, And my eternal portion be.

Verse 18

For they that far from thee remove, Shall into sudden ruin fall; If after other gods they rove, Thy veng'ance shall destroy them all.

Verse 19

But as for me, 'tis good and just, That I should still to God repair; In him I always put my trust, And will his wond'rous works declare.

Verse 20

Sure there's a righteous God, Nor is religion vain; Though men of vice may boast aloud, And men of grace complain.

Verse 21

I saw the wicked rise, And felt my heart repine, While haughty fools with scornful eyes In robes of honor shine.

Verse 22

The tumult of my thought Held me in hard suspense, Till to thy house my feet were brought To learn thy justice thence.

Verse 23

Thy word with light and pow'r Did my mistake amend; I view'd the sinners life before, But here I learnt their end.

Verse 24

On what a slipp'ry steep The thoughtless wretches go; And Oh that dreadful fiery deep, That waits their fall below!

Verse 25

Lord, at thy feet I bow, My thoughts no more repine; I call my God my portion now, And all my pow'rs are thine.