O God, the heathen entered have

Verse 1

O God, the heathen enter’d have thine heritage; by them Defiled is thy house: on heaps they laid Jerusalem.

Verse 2

The bodies of thy servants they have cast forth to be meat To rav’nous fowls; thy dear saints’ flesh they gave to beasts to eat.

Verse 3

Their blood about Jerusalem like water they have shed; And there was none to bury them when they were slain and dead.

Verse 4

Unto our neighbours a reproach most base become are we; A scorn and laughingstock to them that round about us be.

Verse 5

How long, Lord, shall thine anger last? wilt thou still keep the same? And shall thy fervent jealousy burn like unto a flame?

Verse 6

On heathen pour thy fury forth, that have thee never known, And on those kingdoms which thy name have never call’d upon.

Verse 7

For these are they who Jacob have devoured cruelly; And they his habitation have caused waste to lie.

Verse 8

Against us mind not former sins; thy tender mercies show; Let them prevent us speedily, for we’re brought very low.

Verse 9

For thy name’s glory help us, Lord, who hast our Saviour been: Deliver us; for thy name’s sake, O purge away our sin.

Verse 10

Why say the heathen, Where’s their God? let him to them be known; When those who shed thy servants’ blood are in our sight o’erthrown.

Verse 11

O let the pris’ner’s sighs ascend before thy sight on high; Preserve those in thy mighty pow’r that are design’d to die.

Verse 12

And to our neighbours’ bosom cause it sev’n-fold render’d be, Ev’n the reproach wherewith they have, O Lord, reproached thee.

Verse 13

So we thy folk, and pasture-sheep, shall give thee thanks always; And unto generations all we will shew forth thy praise.