Psalm 14
Words: Isaac Watts
PART 1: By nature all men are sinners.
1 Fools in their heart believe and say,
"That all religion's vain;
There is no God that reigns on high,
Or minds th'affairs of men."
2 From thoughts so dreadful and profane,
Corrupt discourse proceeds;
And in their impious hands are found
Abominable deeds.
3 The Lord from his celestial throne
Looked down on things below,
To find the man that sought his grace,
Or did his justice know.
4 By nature all are gone astray,
Their practice all the same;
There's none that fears his Maker's hand;
There's none that loves his name.
5 Their tongues are used to speak deceit,
Their slanders never cease;
How swift to mischief are their feet,
Nor know the paths of peace!
6 Such seeds of sin (that bitter root)
In ev'ry heart are found;
Nor can they bear diviner fruit,
Till grace refine the ground.
PART 2. The folly of persecutors.
1 Sinners now so senseless grown
That they the saints devour?
And never worship at thy throne,
Nor fear thine awful power?
2 Great God! appear to their surprise;
Reveal thy dreadful name;
Let them no more thy wrath despise,
Nor turn our hope to shame.
3 Dost thou not dwell among the just?
And yet our foes deride,
That we should make thy name our trust;
Great God! confound their pride.
4 O that the joyful day were come
To finish our distress !
When God shall bring his children home
Our songs shall never cease.
