There is no music with today's hymn. It's written by Isaac Watts and published in The Psalms of David (1719). Dad and I were discussing a Psalm the other week in which David prays that his enemies be conquered. We pondered that for a bit before I realized that assaults on David were assaults against the Lord. David was king, the Lord's appointed and ancestor to the Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus occupies three offices, prophet, priests, and king. So rebellion or an attack against David (in that particular case: Absalom) was an attack on God.
Still, it seems odd to sing at a temple, which is probably why I'm posting this hymn by Isaac Watts. It's a bit counter-culture to us to sing that God vanquish His enemies and that deceivers fail. It didn't bother Watts in updating the Psalm to English poetry. It's good to remember that our God is a victorious conqueror. Now this isn't license to beat up on whatever political party we happen to disagree with. It is acknowledgment that we should ask the Lord to restrain and conquer those who oppose Him.
1) Help, Lord, for men of virtue fail,
Religion loses ground,
The sons of violence prevail,
And treacheries abound.
2) Their oaths and promises they break,
Yet act the flatterer's part;
With fair, deceitful lips they speak,
And with a double heart.
3) If we reprove some hateful lie,
How is their fury stirred!
"Are not our lips our own?" they cry;
"And who shall be our Lord?"
4) Scoffers appear on every side,
Where a vile race of men
Is raised to seats of power and pride,
And bears the sword in vain.
5) Lord, when iniquities abound,
And blasphemy grows bold;
When faith is hardly to be found,
And love is waxing cold;
6) Is not Thy chariot hastening on?
Hast Thou not giv'n this sign?
May we not trust and live upon
A promise so divine?
7) "Yes," saith the Lord, "now will I rise,
And make oppressors flee;
I shall appear to their surprise,
And set My servants free."
8) Thy Word, like silver sev'n times tried,
Through ages shall endure;
The men that in Thy truth confide
Shall find the promise sure.
