The fool hath said in his heart,
Psalm 14:1–2There is no God.
They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The Lord looked down from Heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
Words: Harriet Auber, Spirit of the Psalms 1829, page 11.
Music: Sagina (Short) Thomas Campbell, Bouquet 1825 (🔊 pdf nwc).
That man whose impious tongue denies
The God who every want supplies,
Or whose unhallowed actions prove
He feels nor gratitude nor love,
Ranks far beneath the brute, who knows
What hand his humble meal bestows.
Yet, did not such heavenly grace abound,
Such would each son of man be found;
For when the Almighty from His throne
Looked on the earth, behold, not one
The narrow path of virtue trod,
Or kept the precepts of his God.
But He, who with a single breath
Could doom a guilty world to death,
With mercy’s gently pleading voice,
Offers salvation to our choice;
Freedom from sin’s debasing chain,
And strength fresh conflicts to sustain.
O haste we then—with joy embrace
This rich, this freely offered grace;
Gladly our hearts and voices raise,
In loud and grateful songs of praise,
And to the listening world proclaim
Our great Redeemer’s glorious name.