Psalm 83
Words: Brady and Tate, A New Version of the Psalms of David
1 Hold not thy peace, O Lord our God,
no longer silent be;
Nor with consenting quiet looks
our ruin calmly see.
2 For 1o! the tumults of thy foes
o'er all the land are spread;
And those who hate thy saints and thee
lift up their threat'ning head.
3 Against thy zealous people, Lord,
they craftily combine;
And to destroy thy chosen saints
have laid their close design.
4 "Come, let us cut them off, say they,
their nation quite deface;
"That no remembrance may remain
of Israel's hated race."
5 Thus they against thy people's peace
consult with one consent;
And diff'ring nations, jointly leagued,
their common malice vent.
6 The Ishmaelites, that dwell in tents,
with warlike Edom joined,
And Moab's sons our ruin vow,
with Hagar's race combined.
7 Proud Ammon's offspring, Gebal too,
with Amalek conspire;
The lords of Palestine, and all
the wealthy sons of Tyre.
8 All these the strong Assyrian king
their firm ally have got;
Who with a pow'rful army aids
th' incestuous race of Lot.
The Second Part.
9 But let such vengeance come to them,
as once to Midian came;
To Jabin and proud Sisera,
at Kishon's fatal stream.
10 When thy right hand their num'rous hosts
near Endor did confound;
And left their carcases for dung
to feed the hungry ground.
11 Let all their mighty men the fate
of Zeb and Oreb share;
As Zeba and Zalmuuna, so
let all their princes fare.
12 Who, with the same design inspired,
thus vainly boasting spake,
"In firm possession for ourselves '
let us God's houses take."
13 To ruin let them haste, like wheels
which downwards swiftly move;
Like chaff before the winds, let all
their scattered forces prove.
14,15
As flames consume dry wood or heath
that on parched mountains grows,
So let thy fierce pursuing wrath
with terror strike thy foes.
16,17
Lord, shroud their faces with disgrace,
that they may own thy Name;
Or them confound, whose hardened hearts
thy gentler means disclaim.
18 So shall the wond'ring world confess,
that thou, who claim'st alone
Jehovah's Name, o'er all the earth
hast raised thy lofty throne.
