1 Why doth the Lord depart so far?
And why conceal his face,
When great calamities appear,
And times of deep distress?

2 Lord, shall the wicked still deride
Thy justice and thy laws?
Shall they advance their heads in pride,
And slight the righteous cause.

3 They cast thy judgments from their sight,
And then insult the poor,
They boast in their exalted height,
That they shall fall no more.

4 Arise, O God, lift up thine hand,
Attend our humble cry;
No enemy shall dare to stand,
When God ascends on high.

Pause.

5 Why do the men of malice rage,
And say with foolish pride,
The God of heaven will ne'er engage
To fight on Zion's side.

6 But thou forever art our Lord;
And powerful is thine hand,
As when the Heathens felt thy sword,
And perish'd from thy land.

7 Thou wilt prepare our hearts to pray,
And cause thine ear to hear;
Accept the vows thy children pay,
And free thy saints from fear.

8 Proud tyrants shall no more oppress,
No more despise the just;
And mighty sinners shall confess,
They are but earth and dust.