I on the Lord with confidence rely

Verse 1

I on the Lord with confidence rely; (Sure is the aid of the divinity). Why then d'ye bid my soul distrust his pow'r, And a vain refuge in the hills explore; Like tim'rous birds, whose flight betrays their fear, Who swiftly skim the skies, when danger's near?

Verse 2

For lo! th' ungodly bend their hostile bow; Their arrows ready on the firing they shew; With private spite they at the righteous aim, The man, whose conscious heart is free from blame.

Verse 3

But thou'lt, almighty Lord, their fury slay; The righteous thou'lt protect, who thee obey; Thou wilt their helpless innocence defend; The bow with fruitless aim th' ungodly bend.

Verse 4

Thou in thy hallow'd temple fit'st on high; High in thy heav'ns, enthron'd in majesty, Full in thy view the scatter'd nations are; Howe'er dispers'd, they all employ thy care.

Verse 5

Thine eye the actions of the good man views, The bad thro' all his mazy crimes pursues; The good are constant objects of thy love; The bad thy bitt'rest indignation prove.

Verse 6

Thou on the bad dost dire destruction pour, Hear! the black tempests all around them roar, Hark! the loud thunder rattles o'er their heads; Lo! it's swift fires the sulph'rous lightning sheds.

Verse 7

But, just thyself, thou call'st: the just man thine, And bidst thy mercy on the upright shine.