O God, defender of the poor
1 O God, defender of the poor,
have mercy when I pray:
you listened to my prayer before
Lord, hear my prayer today!
2 How long will people choose vain things,
love empty words and wrong?
They scorn to serve the King of kings
O living God, how long?
3 The saints, O Lord, you set apart
by grace to be your own:
let sinners tremble, search their hearts,
and bow before your throne.
4 While many pray that you will bless
and bring them all they need,
unless they long for holiness
their prayers are vain indeed.
5 Your light, O Lord, let us receive,
your face within us shine:
for richer is the joy you give
than all their corn and wine.
6 And even when I turn to sleep
your blessings still increase,
for you alone, O Lord, will keep
your child in perfect peace.
Christopher Idle from Psalm 4
© Christopher Idle/Jubilate Hymns Ltd
CM