Rampolli Part 16

Ah G.o.d, from heaven look down and view; Let it thy pity waken; Behold thy saints how very few!

We wretches are forsaken.

Thy word they grant nor true nor right, And faith is thus extinguished quite Among the sons of Adam.

They teach a cunning false and fine-- In their own wits they found it; Their heart in one doth not combine, Nor on G.o.d's word they ground it; One chooses this, the other that; Endless division they are at, And yet they keep smooth faces.

G.o.d will outroot the teachers all Who with false shows present us; Besides, their proud tongues loudly call-- Tush! tush!--who can prevent us?

We have the right and might in full; And what we say, that is the rule; Who dares to give us lessons!

Therefore saith G.o.d: I must be up; My poor ones ill are faring; Their sighs crowd up to Zion's top.

My ear their cry is hearing.

My wholesome word shall speedily With comfort fill them, fresh and free, And strength be to the needy.

Silver that seven times is tried With fire, is found the purer; G.o.d's word the same test must abide-- It still comes out the surer.

It shall by crosses proved be; Men shall its power and glory see Shine strong upon the nations.

G.o.d will its purity defend From this ill generation.

Let us ourselves to thee commend Lest we fall from our station; The G.o.dless rout is all around Where these rude wanton ones are found Against thy folk exalted.

II.

THE FOURTEENTH PSALM.

Although the fools say with their mouth: Great G.o.d, we magnify him; Their heart cares nothing for the truth, In action they deny him.

Their being is corrupted quite; To G.o.d it is a horrid sight; Not one of them works goodness.

From heaven G.o.d downward cast his eye Upon men's sons so many; He set himself to look and spy If he could find out any Who their own reason up had stirred Earnestly to obey G.o.d's word, After his will enquiring.

Upon the right path there was none; From it they all were straying; Each followed fancies of his own, Them to ill deeds bewraying.

Not one of them did good even once, Though many, fooled by arrogance, Thought G.o.d with them well pleased.

How long by lies will they be led Who vain attempts redouble!

They eat my people up as bread, And live upon their trouble!

In G.o.d stands not their confidence; From ill they ask not his defence: They would themselves look after.

Therefore their heart is never still But always full of fearing.

Dwell with the good the Father will, Those who have ears for hearing.

But ye despise the poor man's ways, And scorn at everything he says Concerning G.o.d his comfort.

Who will to Israel, poor flock-- To Zion send salvation?

G.o.d will take pity on his folk, And free his captive nation; That will he do through Christ his Son-- And then is Jacob's weeping done, And Isr'el filled with gladness. Amen.

III.

THE FOURTY-SIXTH PSALM.

Our G.o.d he is a castle strong, A good mail-coat and weapon; He sets us free from every wrong That wickedness would heap on.

The ancient wicked foe He means earnest now; Force and cunning sly His horrid policy,-- On earth there's no one like him!

Our strength is vain; do what we can Our hopes are soon dejected; But He fights for us, the right man, By G.o.d himself elected.

Ask'st thou who is this?

Jesus Christ it is; He is the Lord of Hosts In whom his people boasts; And he must win the battle.

And did the world with devils swarm All gaping to devour us, We fear not from them the least harm; Success lies sure before us.

This world's prince accurst, Let him rage his worst, Only roars about; His doom it is gone out, A word can overthrow him.

The Word they'll have to let it bide, Nor there claim any merit; He is with us, and on our side With his own gifts and spirit!

Let them take our life, Goods, name, child, and wife-- Everything may go: To them it is no gain; The kingdom ours remaineth.

IV.

THE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH PSALM.

Were G.o.d not with us all the time-- Israel may loud declare it-- Were G.o.d not with us all the time, We must have now despaired; For we are such a little flock Despised by such a crowd of folk, Who all do set upon us!

'Gainst us so angry is their mood, If G.o.d had given them tether Us they had swallowed where we stood, Body and soul together.

We should have been drowned all, like those O'er whom the waters great did close, And swept them off relentless.

Thank G.o.d! their throat who did not let Us swallow when it gaped; As from a snare a bird doth flit So is our soul escaped.

The snare's in two, and we are through: The name of G.o.d it standeth true, The G.o.d of earth and heaven. Amen.

V.

A CHILDREN'S SONG, TO SING AGAINST THE TWO ARCHENEMIES OF CHRIST AND HIS HOLY CHURCH, THE POPE AND THE TURKS.

Lord, keep us by thy word in hope, And check the murder of Turk and Pope, Who Jesus Christ, thine only Son, Would fain from off thy throne cast down.

Proof of thy strength, Lord Christ, afford, For thou of all the lords art Lord; Thy own poor Christendom defend, That it may praise thee without end.

G.o.d Holy Ghost, who Comfort art, Give to thy folk on earth one heart; Stand by us breathing our last breath; Into life lead us out of death.

VI.

A SONG OF THE HOLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH, FROM THE TWELFTH CHAPTER OF THE APOCALYPSE.

Her, the worthy maid, my heart doth hold, And I shall not forget her.

Praise, honour, virtue of her are told; Than all I love her better.

I seek her good, And if I should Right evil fare, I do not care: With that she'll make me merry!

With love and truth that never tire Glad she will make me very, And do all my desire.

She wears a crown of pure gold, where Twelve stars their rays are twining; Her raiment like the sun is fair, And bright from far is shining.

Her feet the moon Are set upon; She is the bride By Jesus' side!

She hath sorrow, must be mother To her fair child, the n.o.ble Son, Of all men lord and brother, Her king, her crowned one.