Sure wicked fools, devoid of shame

Sure wicked fools, devoid of shame

Adapter: Francis Hopkinson
Tune: [Sure wicked fools, devoid of shame]
Published in 1 hymnal

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Sure, wicked Fools, devoid of Shame,
Suppose that GOD is but a Name:
Corrupt and lewd their Practice grows,
No Breast with heav'nly Ardor glows;
All Thoughts of Virtue they resign,
Their Hearts to evil Ways incline.

2 The LORD, from Realms of endless Day,
Did all the Sons of Men survey;
Look'd down from his exalted Tow'r,
To see if any own'd his Pow'r;
To see if any Justice knew,
Or did the Paths of Truth pursue.

3 But all he saw were gone aside,
None took Religion for their Guide,
Not one of all the sinful Race,
But was degen'rate grown and base,
And still in ev'ry wicked Way,
With wand'ring Footsteps went astray.

4 Their Throats are open to devour
The helpless Poor, when in their Pow'r;
Their Mouths with Curses fill'd and Lies,
No Fear of GOD's before their Eyes;
Their Ways to swift Destruction tend,
And must in certain Ruin end.

5 But will these Workers of Deceit,
Like Bread, my harmless People eat?
And God's Almighty Pow'r disown?

5 How will they tremble then for Fear,
When his just Wrath shall them o'ertake!
Are they so dull and senseless grown,
That they will GOD's great Pow'r disown?
Will they not his Commands obey,
And yield to his Almighty Sway?

6 How will they tremble then for Fear,
When they behold his Vengeance near!
When his just Wrath shall them o'ertake;
For GOD will ne'er the Just forsake:
For them he will his Arm extend,
And from the Foe their Lives defend.

7 Bad Men, in vain, with Scorn deride
The Just, who follow Virtue's Guide,
And strive their Methods to expose;
Since GOD a Refuge is for those:
His Eyes shall them with Favour view,
Whilst they their righteous Paths pursue.

7 Would he his saving Pow'r extend,
And now his People's Cause defend;
Oh! would he break their servile Band;
What Shouts should echo thro' the Land!
How should we then our Songs employ,
And join the universal Joy!

Source: The Psalms of David: with the Ten Commandments, Creed, Lord's Prayer, &c. in metre...for the use of the Reformed Protestant Dutch church of the city of New York #XIV

Adapter: Francis Hopkinson

Francis Hopkinson; grad. College of Philadelphia with master’s degree; studied law and passed Pa. bar; opened conveyancer’s office in Philadelphia; musical and literary talent; prolific writer who frequently used pen name, A. B. LOC Name Authority Files Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Sure wicked fools, devoid of shame
Adapter: Francis Hopkinson
Source: Tate and Brady's New Version
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Instances

Instances (1 - 1 of 1)
TextAudioPage Scan

The Psalms of David #XIV

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us