Why hast thou cast us off, O God

Verse 1

Why hast Thou cast us off, O God? wilt Thou no more return? Oh! why against thy chosen Flock does thy fierce Anger burn?

Verse 2

Think on thy ancient Purchase, Lord, the Land that is thy own, By Thee redeem'd; and Sion's Mount, where once thy Glory shone.

Verse 3

Oh, come and view our ruin'd State! how long our Troubles last! See how the Foe with wicked Rage has laid thy Temple waste!

Verse 4

Thy Foes blaspheme thy Name: where late thy zealous Servants pray'd, The Heathen there, with haughty Pomp, their Banners have display'd.

Verse 5

Those curious Carvings, which did once advance the Artists Fame, With Ax and Hammer they destroy, like Works of vulgar Frame.

Verse 6

Thy holy Temple they have burnt; and what escap'd the Flame, Has been profan'd, and quite defac'd, tho' sacred to thy Name.

Verse 7

Thy Worship wholly to destroy maliciously they aim'd; And all the sacred Places burn'd, where we thy Praise proclaim'd.

Verse 8

Yet of they Presence Thou vouchsaf'st no tender Signs to send: We have no Prophet now, that knows when this sad State shall end.

Verse 9

But, Lord, how long wilt Thou permit th' insulting foe to boast? Shall all the Honour of thy Name for evermore be lost?

Verse 10

Why hold'st Thou back thy strong Right-hand, and on thy patient Breast, When Vengeance calls to stretch it forth, so calmly lett'st it rest?

Verse 11

Thou heretofore, with Kingly Pow'r, in our Defence hast fought; For us, throughout the wond'ring World, hast great Salvation wrought.

Verse 12

'Twas Thou, O God, that didst the Sea, by thy own Strength, divide: Thou brak'st the wat'ry Monsters Head, the Waves o'erwhelm'd their Pride.

Verse 13

The greatest,fiercest of them all that seem'd the Deep to sway, Was by thy Pow'r destroy'd, and made to savage Beasts a Prey.

Verse 14

Thou clav'st the solid Rock, and mad'st the Waters largely flow; Again, Thou mad'st, thro' parting Streams, thy wond'ring People go.

Verse 15

Thine is the chearful Day, and thine the black Return of Night; Thou hast prepar'd the glorious Sun, and ev'ry feebler Light.

Verse 16

By Thee the Borders of the Earth in perfect Order stand: The Summer's Warmth, and Winter's Cold, attend on thy Command.

Verse 17

Remember, Lord, how scornful Foes have daily urg'd our Shame; And how the foolish People have blasphem'd thy holy Name.

Verse 18

O, free thy mourning Turtle-dove, by sinful Crouds beset; Nor the Assembly of thy Poor for evermore forget.

Verse 19

Thy antient Cov'nant, Lord, regard, and make thy Promise good; For now each Corner of the Land is fill'd with Men of Blood.

Verse 20

O let not the Oppress'd return, with Sorrow cloath'd, and Shame; But let the Helpless and the Poor for ever praise thy Name.

Verse 21

Arise, O God, in our Behalf; thy Cause and ours maintain: Remember how insulting Fools each Day thy Name profane!

Verse 22

Make Thou the Boastings of thy Foes for ever, Lord, to cease; Whose Insolence, if unchastiz'd, will more and more increase.