Psalm 94 J.H.
Words: Sternhold and Hopkins, The Whole Book of Psalms Collected into English Metre
1 O Lord, thou dost revenge all wrong,
vengeance belongs to thee:
Since then it doth to thee belong,
Declare that all may see.
2 Set forth thyself, for thou of right
the earth doth judge and guide;
Reward the proud, and men of might,
according to their pride.
3 How long shall wicked men bear sway
with lifting up their voice?
Shall proud and wicked men alway
thus triumph and rejoice?
4 How long shall they with brags burst out,
and proudly talk their fill!
Shall they rejoice that be so stout,
whose works are ever ill!
5 Thy flock, O Lord, thine heritage
they spoil and vex full sore;
Against thy people they do rage
still daily more and more.
6 The widows which are comfortless,
and strangers they destroy,
They slay the children fatherless,
and none doth put them by.
7 And when they take these things in hand,
this talk they have of thee,
Can Jacob's God this understand?
tush, no, he cannot see.
8 O folk unwise, and people hide,
some knowledge now discern,;
Ye fools among the multitude,
at length begin to learn.
9 The Lord who made the ear of man,
he needs of right must hear;
He made the eye, all things must then
before his sight appear.
10 The Lord doth all the world correct,
and make them understand;
Shall he not then your deeds detect?
how can ye 'scape his hand?
The Second Part.
11 The Lord doth know the heart of man,
and sees the same full plain,
And he his very thoughts doth scan,
and findeth them but vain.
12 But, Lord, that man is happy sure,
whom thou dost keep in awe,
And through correction dost procure
to teach him in thy law;
13 Whereby he shall in quiet rest,
in time of trouble sit,
When wicked men shall be suppressed,
and fall into the pit.
14 For sure the Lord will not refuse
his people for to take,
His heritage whom he did choose
he will no time forsake;
15 Until that judgement be decreed
to justice to convert,
That all may follow her with speed
that are of upright heart.
16 But who upon my part will stand
against the cursed train?
Or who shall rid me from their hand
that wicked works maintain?
17 Except the Lord had been my aid
my enemies to quell,
My soul and life had now been laid
almost as low as hell.
18 When I did say, My foot doth slide;
before that I could call,
Thy mercy, Lord, most ready was
to save me from the fall.
19 When with myself I mus-ed much,
and could no comfort find,
Then, Lord, thy goodness did me touch,
and that did ease my mind.
20 Wilt thou accustom, Lord, thyself
with wicked men to sit,
Who with pretence, instead of law,
much mischief do commit?
21 For they consult against the life
of righteous men and good;
And in their counsels they are rife
to shed the guiltless blood.
22 But yet the Lord is unto me
a sure and strong defense;
To him I flee, because he is
my strength and confidence:
23 And he shall cause their mischiefs all
themselves for to annoy;
And in their malice they shall fall,
our God shall them destroy.
