When cruel foes with causeless malice arm

Verse 1

When cruel foes with causeless malice arm, And strike my harast soul with dread alarm, Around the neighb'ring hills I'll cast mine eye; They haply may immediate aid supply.

Verse 2

Yet sure our God, of heav'n, of earth, dread Lord, In my distress will quick relief afford;

Verse 3

Nor thou, my soul, be lost in empty fear; Thy God, to heal thy griefs, is ever near; His eye, thy heav'nly guard, will never close,

Verse 4

Nor asks, like feeble mortals, soft repose.

Verse 5

Anigh thee, see, thy great preserver stands, And o'er thy head his shelt'ring wings expands;

Verse 6

By day he shades thee from the scorching sun; By night defends thee from the baleful moon:

Verse 7

At home thy sure protector he'll be found; In vain insidious foes thy home surround; Abroad he shields thee, or in peace or war; He watches o'er thee with a father's care; In ev'ry exigence thy life defends Thy God's protecting mercy never ends.