O Lord, assist; for faith, for honour's flown

Verse 1

O Lord, asisst; for faith, for honour's flown; Our Earth they've left, and sure to Heav'n are gone:

Verse 2

Now each man to delude his neighbour tries; Their tongues are tipt with flatteries and lies.

Verse 3

But the proud tongue, that speaks a haughty lie, The false, the flattering lip, wilt thou destroy:

Verse 4

Who fearless say; " Our lips are sure our own; "Be by our perjur'd tongues our courage known; "Our villain-schemes undaunted we'll maintain; "And who our tongues shall curb, our lips shall rein?"

Verse 5

But thou shalt hear th' afflicted's earnest sighs; Thou in behalf of innocence shalt rise; Shalt free their souls from each insidious snare, And heal their sorrows with a father's care.

Verse 6

For in thy word, O Lord, we rest secure, Thy word, than purest silver far more pure; Than silver sev'n times by the fire refin'd, It's dross exhal'd, and scatter'd by the wind.

Verse 7

Yes; what thy honour speaks, wilt thou maintain; Their righteous souls in all their griefs sustain; From this degen'rate race wilt set them free, And bless them with their native liberty.

Verse 8

"But when unjust and impious men bear sway, "Then vice exults, and walks in open day."