Psalm LVIII. Six Line-Long Metre The destruction of Tyrants and Oppressors

Shall tyrants rule by impious laws? Shall they despise the righteous cause, When innocence before them stands? Dare they condemn the helpless poor, And let oppressors rest secure, Whilst gold and greatness bribe their hands

Do they forget th' almighty name, That God o'er all is Judge supreme? High in the heavens his justice reigns; Yet they invade the rights of God, And send their bold decrees abroad, To bind the free born soul in chains.

A poison'd arrow is their tongue, The arrow sharp, the poison strong! And death attends where'er it wounds; They hear no counsels, cries nor tears; So the deaf adder stops her ears, Against the melody of sounds.

Break thou their teeth, Almighty God, The teeth of lions drench'd in blood; And crush those serpents in the dust: Thy voice shall thunder from the sky, Their crowns shall fall, their titles die, Their grandeur and their power be lost.

Thus shall thy justice, mighty Lord, Freedom and peace to men afford, And nations shall unite and say, "Sure there's a God, that rules on high, Who hears th' oppressed when they cry, And all their sufferings will repay."