Ye Judges of the Earth, Be Still

Ye judg­es of the earth

be still

While God de­clares His right­eous will:

“How long in your un­eq­ual scale

Shall jus­tice lose

and wrong pre­vail?

“Let law the or­phan’s claim se­cure:

List to the friend­less and the poor:

Protect the weak

as­sert their right

And save them from the op­press­or’s spite.

“Alas

ye nei­ther know nor mark;

Reckless ye wan­der in the dark

While earth the dire con­fu­sion feels

And on its deep foun­da­tion reels.

Gods ye were named: all lands in you

The child­ren of the High­est knew:

But death your frail­ty shall be­tray

And blend your forms with vul­gar clay.

Rise

high-throned God

to ven­geance rise;

Redeem the wronged

the proud chas­tise;

Rule ev­ery realm by right di­vine:

For all the realms of earth are Thine.