Scripture Verse

How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Psalm 82:2

Introduction

Words: From The Psal­ter (Pitts­burgh, Penn­syl­van­ia: Unit­ed Pres­by­te­ri­an Board of Pub­li­ca­tion, 1912), num­ber 223.

Music: Che­nies Ti­mo­thy R. Mat­thews, 1855 (🔊 pdf nwc)

Alternate Tunes:

portrait
Timothy R. Matthews (1826–1910)

Lyrics

Where’er His creatures gather,
The unseen God is near;
Let rulers fear their ruler,
Their judge let judges fear.
How long, ye earthly judges,
Will ye pervert the right?
How long shall wicked persons
Have favor in your sight?

Do justice for the helpless,
The orphan’s cause maintain.
Defend the poor and needy,
Oppressed and wronged for gain.
When rulers walk in darkness,
When judges truth forsake,
The cornerstones are crumbled,
The firm foundations shake.

The most high God has called you
And set you up on high,
But ye to Him must answer,
For ye like men must die.
Arise, O God eter­nal,
Thou judge of all the earth,
Through all Thy ransomed nations
Send now Thy justice forth.