The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
Psalm 37:14–15
Words: From The Psalter (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: United Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1912), number 99.
Music: Darwen Edward Harwood (1707–1787) (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Harwood (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
The wicked, watching for their prey,
Desire the righteous man to slay,
But God is on his side;
He will not leave him in their hands,
Nor count him guilty when he stands
In judgment to be tried.
Wait on the Lord and keep His way;
He will exalt thee, nor delay
To give the land to thee;
And when the wicked are cut off,
The wicked who against thee scoff,
Their judgment thou shalt see.
The wicked great in power are seen,
Like spreading tree with foliage green
That grows in native ground.
I looked again, they were no more;
I sought the men so proud before,
But they could not be found.
Mark thou the upright day by day,
Behold the perfect in his way:
His journey ends in peace.
Destroyed at once shall rebels be;
Cut off from all posterity,
Their very name shall cease.
Salvation is from God alone,
Whom as their covert saints have known
When by sore troubles tried;
The Lord who helped in troubles past
Will save them to the very last,
For they in Him confide.