Scripture Verse

Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up My people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God. Psalm 53:4

Introduction

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Isaac Smith (1734–1805)
National Portrait Gallery

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Words: Hen­ry F. Lyte, Po­ems Chief­ly Re­li­gious 1833.

Music: Abridge Is­aac Smith, Col­lect­ion of Psalm Tunes in Three Parts 1770 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Henry F. Lyte (1793–1847)

Lyrics

In vain the pow­ers of dark­ness try
To work the Church’s ill,
The Friend of sin­ners reigns on high,
And checks them at His will.

Though mis­chief in their hearts may dwell,
And on their tongues de­ceit,
A word of His their pride can quell,
And all their aims defeat.

Let world­lings pant for world­ly wealth;
Its worth His peo­ple see.
The Lord is their de­sire and health;
The Lord will strength­en me.

My trust is in His grace alone;
His house shall be my home.
How sweet His mer­cies past to own,
And hope for more to come.