Psalm 10 (Tate & Brady)

1 Thy presence why withdraws't thou, Lord?

why hid'st thou now thy face,

When dismal times of deep distress

call for thy wonted grace?

2 The wicked, swelled with lawless pride,

have made the poor their prey;

O let them fall by those designs

which they for others lay.

3 For straight they triumph, if success

their thriving crimes attend;

And sordid wretches, whom God hates,

perversely they commend.

4 To own a pow'r above themselves

their haughty pride disdains;

And therefore in their stubborn mind

no thought of God remains.

5 Oppressive methods they pursue,

and all their foes they slight;

Because thy judgments, unobserved,

are far above their sight.

6 They fondly think their prosp'rous state

shall unmolested be;

They think their vain designs shall thrive,

from all misfortune free.

7 Vain and deceitful is their speech,

with curses filled and lies;

By which the mischief of their heart

they study to disguise.

8 Near public roads they lie concealed,

and all their art employ,

The innocent and poor at once

to rifle and destroy.

9 Not lions, couching in their dens,

surprise their heedless prey

With greater cunning, or express

more savage rage than they.

10 Sometimes they act the harmless man,

and modest looks they wear;

That, so deceived, the poor may less

their sudden onset fear.

The Second Part,

11 For God, they think, no notice takes

of their unrighteous deeds;

never minds the suff'ring poor,

nor their oppression heeds.

12 But thou, O Lord, at length arise;

stretch forth thy mighty arm;

And by the greatness of thy pow'r,

defend the poor from harm.

13 No longer let the wicked vaunt,

and proudly boasting say,

"Tush, God regards not what we do;

he never will repay."

14 But sure thou seest, and all their deeds

impartially dost try;

The orphan, therefore, and the poor

on thee for aid rely.

15 Defenseless let the wicked fall,

of all their strength bereft;

Confound, O God, their dark designs,

till no remains are left.

16 Assert thy just dominion, Lord,

which shall for ever stand;

Thou, who the heathen didst expel

from this thy chosen land.

17 Thou dost the humble suppliants hear

that to thy throne repair;

Thou first prepar'st their hearts to pray,

and then accept'st their pray'r.

18 Thou in thy righteous judgment weigh'st

the fatherless and poor;

That so the tyrants of the earth

may persecute no more.