O Wherefore Hast Thou Cast Us Off

Verse 1

O wherefore hast Thou cast us off, O God, our God of old? Why art Thou angry with Thy sheep, The sheep of Thy own fold, The sheep of Thy own fold?

Verse 2

Remember Thy inheritance, Thy Church, redeemed by grace; Remember Zion's mount profaned, Thy ancient dwelling-place, Thy ancient dwelling-place.

Verse 3

In ruin long Thy temple lies; Arise, o God of grace, And see the ruin foes have wrought Within Thy holy place, Within Thy holy place.

Verse 4

Amid Thy courts are lifted high The standards of the foe, And impious hands with axe and fire Have laid Thy temple low, Have laid Thy temple low.

Verse 5

They have profaned the holy place Where Thou hast set Thy Name, The sanctuaries of our God Are given to the flame, Are given to the flame.

Verse 6

We see no signs of power divine, No prophet speaks for Thee, And none can tell, and none can know, How long these woes shall be, How long these woes shall be.

Verse 7

How long, O God, shall blasphemy And shame reproach our land? Why dost Thou not destroy Thy foes With Thy almighty hand, With Thy almighty hand?

Verse 8

O God, Thou art our King of old; Salvation Thou hast wrought; In safety through the mighty sea Our fathers Thou hast brought, Our fathers Thou hast brought.

Verse 9

With mighty arm Thou didst destroy The pride of boastful man, And for Thy people made a path Where mighty waters ran, Where mighty waters ran.

Verse 10

The day is Thine, and Thine the night, And Thine the shining sun; At Thy command earth's bounds are set And changing seasons run, And changing seasons run.

Verse 11

Mark how Thy enemies, O Lord, Against Thee proudly speak; Preserve Thy saints from wicked men, Be mindful of the meek, Be mindful of the meek.

Verse 12

Fulfil, O Lord, Thy covenant, Our strong Protector be, For in the earth are dark abodes Of crime and cruelty, Of crime and cruelty.

Verse 13

Let not Thy saints be put to shame, No longer in Thy sight Permit Thy foes to vaunt themselves; Lord, vindicate the right, Lord, vindicate the right.