Help, Lord; the godly Man decays

Verse 1

Help Lord; the godly man decays. And quits the hated ground; And faithful men, in these our days, Are very rarely found.

Verse 2

For each one acts a treacherous part, Deceives his friend with lies; With flattering Lips, and double heart, They speak in close disguise.

Verse 3

Jehovah surely will, e'er long, The flattering lips cut off; With the proud, threatening, boasting tongue, Which doth profanely scoff.

Verse 4

Who say, "our artful tongues alone, Prevailing force afford; What sure; are not our lips our own? Who over us is Lord?"

Verse 5

"For sighing of the poor oppressed, Now (saith the Lord,) I'll rise: From his oppressors give him rest, But all his foes despise."

Verse 6

Thy word, O Lord, shall firmly last, And pure from fraud abide; As silver through the furnace past, And seven times purified.

Verse 7

O Lord, thy promised help, and grace, Thou strictly wilt observe; And ever, from this faithless race, Them carefully preserve.

Verse 8

The wicked walk on every side. And greatly multiply; When vilest men of fraud, and pride, Are raised up on high.