Deus autibus

Verse 1

Our ears have heard our fathers tell, and rev'rently record The wond'rous works, that thou hast done in ancient time, O Lord.

Verse 2

How thou didst drive the heathen out with a most powerful hand, Planting our fathers in their place, and gav'st to them their land.

Verse 3

They conquer'd not by their own sword the land wherein they dwell; But by thy hand, thy arm, and grace, because thou lov'dst them well.

Verse 4

Thou art my King, O God, who sav'st Jacob in sundry wise; Led with thy pow'r we threw down such as did against us rise.

Verse 5

I trusted not in bow nor sword, they could not save me sound; Thou kept'st us from our foes great rage, and didst them all confound.

Verse 6

And still we boast of thee our God, and praise thy holy name; Yet now thou go'st not with our host, but leavest us to shame.

Verse 7

Thou mad'st us flee before our foes, so were we over-trod; They did us rob, and spoil our goods, we were dispers'd abroad.

Verse 8

Thou hast us given to our foes, as sheep for to be slain; Amongst the heathen every where we scatter'd do remain.

Verse 9

Thy people thou hast sold like slaves, and as a thing of naught; For profit none thou hadst thereby, no gain at all was sought.

Verse 10

And to our neighbors thou hast made of us a laughing-stock; And those that round about us dwell, at us do grin and mock.

Verse 11

Thus we serve for no other use, but for a common talk; They mock, they scorn, they shake their heads, wherever they do walk.

Verse 12

With shame and great confusion I afflicted am full sore; Yea, so I blush, that all my face with red is covered o'er.

Verse 13

For why? We hear such sland'rous words, such false reports and lies, That death it is to see their wrongs, their threatnings, and their cries.

Verse 14

For all this, we forgot not thee, nor yet thy cov'nant brake; We turn'd not back our hearts from thee, nor did thy paths forsake,

Verse 15

Yet thou hast trod us down to dust, where dens of dragons be, And cover'd us with shade of death, and great adversity.

Verse 16

If we God's Name forgotten have, and help of idols sought, Shall he not search and find it out? for he doth know our thought.

Verse 17

But 'tis for thy name's sake, O Lord, we always are slain thus, As sheep into the shambles sent, ev'n so they deal with us.

Verse 18

Up, Lord, why sleepest thou? awake, for ever leave us not; Why hidest thou thy countenance? our thrall thou hast forgot.

Verse 19

Ev'n to the dust our soul is brought, our troubles so increase: Our belly cleaveth to the ground, our grief no time doth cease;

Verse 20

Rise up therefore for our defence, and help us, Lord, at need: We, for thy goodness, thee beseech, to rescue us with speed.