Why dost thou stand afar,
O Lord, in our distress?
And why dost thou conceal thyself
When troublous times oppress?
Do thou, O Lord, arise;
O God, lift up thy hand;
Forget thou not the suff'ring poor,
The humble in the land.
Their foes thou dost behold,
Their wrongs thou wilt repay;
The poor commit themselves to thee,
Thou art the orphan's stay.
Thou, Lord, hast heard their pray'r
When humble hearts drew nigh;
Thou also wilt revive their strength
And ever hear their cry.
Defend the fatherless,
And all who are oppressed,
That they by human pride and pow'r
May be no more distressed.