The Mouth of Fools Doth God Confess
© Martin Luther
by Martin Luther, 1483-1546
Text From: EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN HYMN-BOOK
(St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1927), pp. 260-261
1. The mouth of fools doth God confess,
But while their lips draw nigh Him,
Their heart is full of wickedness,
And all their deeds deny Him.
Corrupt are they, and every one
Abominable works hath done;
There is not one well-doer.
2. The Lord looked from His heavenly throne
On all mankind below Him
To see if there were any one
Who truly sought to know Him,
And all his understanding bent
To search His holy Word, intent
To do His will in earnest.
3. But none there was who walked with God,
For all aside had slidden,
Delusive paths of folly trod,
And followed lusts forbidden;
Not one there was who practised good,
Though many deemed, in haughty mood,
Their deeds to God were pleasing.
4. "How long, by folly blindly led,
Will they oppress the needy
And My own flock devour like bread?"
So fierce are they and greedy!
In God they put no trust at all,
Nor on His name in trouble call,
But be their own providers.
5. Therefore their heart is never still,
A constant fear dismays them,
God is with him who doth His will,
Who trusts Him and obeys Him;
Ye shame the counsel of the poor
And mock him when he doth assure
That God is e'er his Refuge.
6. Who shall to Israel's outcast race
From Zion bring salvation?
God will Himself at length show grace
And loose the captive nation;
That will He do by Christ, their King;
Let Jacob then be glad and sing
And Israel be joyful.
Notes:
Hymn #277 from The Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book
Text: Ps. 14
Author: Martin Luther, 1524
Translated by: Richard Massie
This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg by Cindy A. Beesley and is in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary.
E-mail: CFWLibrary@CRF.CUIS.EDU
Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St.,Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA
Phone: (219) 481-2123
Fax: (219) 481-2126
Go To Page: 1
