1 Why dost thou stand afar,
O Lord, in our distress?
And why dost thou conceal thyself
When troublous times oppress?

2 Do thou, O Lord, arise;
O God, lift up thy hand;
Forget thou not the suff'ring poor,
The humble in the land.

3 Their foes thou dost behold,
Their wrongs thou wilt repay;
The poor commit themselves to thee,
Thou art the orphan's stay.

4 Thou, Lord, hast heard their pray'r
When humble hearts drew nigh;
Thou also wilt revive their strength
And ever hear their cry.

5 Defend the fatherless,
And all who are oppressed,
That they by human pride and pow'r
May be no more distressed.

Amen.