Lyrics

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¹ Wherefore is it that thou, O LORD,
dost stand from us afar?
And wherefore hidest thou thyself,
when times so troublous are?

² The wicked in his loftiness
doth persecute the poor:
In these devices they have fram'd
let them be taken sure.

³ The wicked of his heart's desire
doth talk with boasting great;
He blesseth him that's covetous,
whom yet the LORD doth hate.

⁴ The wicked, through his pride of face,
on God he doth not call;
And in the counsels of his heart
the Lord is not at all.

⁵ His ways they always grievous are;
thy judgments from his sight
Removed are: at all his foes
he puffeth with despight.

⁶ Within his heart he thus hath said,
I shall not moved be;
And no adversity at all
shall ever come to me.

Notes by Rev. John Brown of Haddington

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In this psalm of lamentation and woe, we have, (1.) David’s mournful complaints of God’s withdrawment of his gracious and comfortable presence, ver. 1.
(2.) His mournful and shocking representation of the wicked men, who persecuted him, during God’s absence: They proudly gloried in themselves; they counteracted the laws, and contemned the judgments of God; they contradicted and defiled their opposers; they were malicious, treacherous, crafty, hypocritical, and atheistical persecutors, ver. 2-11.

 

 

Notes of Devotion

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While I sing these lines, ponder, O my soul, what a privilege it is to enjoy familiar fellowship with God! What abominations lie hid in an evil heart of unbelief! What a mercy, that the Lord hath withheld me from that outrage in wickedness, of which my corrupt nature is capable. Let all my views of sins and of judgments cause me to flee to Jesus for relief. If he prepare my heart to pray, he will surely grant my requests.