Psalm 53 (Tate & Brady)
Words: Nahum Tate, Nicholas Brady | (1696)
Key: CMeter: 8.6.8.6
1 The wicked fools must sure suppose
that God is but a name;
This gross mistake their practice shows,
since virtue all disclaim:
 
2 The Lord looked down from heav'n's high tow'r,
the sons of men to view;
To see if any owned his pow'r,
or truth; or justice knew.
 
3 But all, he saw, were backwards gone,
degen'rate grown, and base;
None for religion cared, not one
of all the sinful race.
 
4 But are those workers of deceit
so dull and senseless grown,
That they, like bread, my people eat,
and God's just pow'r disown?
 
5 Their causeless fears shall strangely grow,
and they, despised of God,
Shall soon be foiled; his hand shall throw
their shattered bones abroad.
 
6 Would he his saving pow'r employ
to break our servile band,
Loud shouts of universal joy
should echo through the land.
Scripture References: Psalm 53