O God, We Have Heard (EN 940)

1

O God, we have heard, and our fathers have told

What wonders Thou didst in the great days of old;

The nations were crushed and expelled by Thy hand,

Cast out that Thy people might dwell in their land.

2

They gained not the land by the edge of the sword,

Their own arm to them could no safety afford,

But Thy right hand saved, and the light of Thy face,

Because of Thy favor and wonderful grace.

3

Command, and Thy word shall deliverance bring,

O God, to Thy chosen, for Thou art our King;

Through Thee we will surely defeat all our foes,

Through Thy Name will triumph o’er those that oppose.

4

No trust will I place in my strength to defend.

Nor yet on my sword as a safeguard depend;

In Thee, who hast saved us and put them to shame,

We boast all the day, ever praising Thy Name.

5

Thou, Lord, hast forsaken, to shame brought our boasts;

No more to the field dost Thou go with our hosts;

Thou turnest us back from the foe in dismay,

And spoilers who hate us have made us their prey.

6

Like sheep to the slaughter Thy people are given,

Dispersed through the nations, afar we are driven;

Thou sellest Thy people to strangers for naught,

Their price to Thy treasure no increase has brought.

7

Thou makest our neighbors reproach us in pride,

And those that are near us to scoff and deride;

A byword the nations have made of our name,

With scorn and derision they put us to shame.

8

Yea, all the day long I behold my disgrace,

And covered am I with confusion of face;

The voice of blasphemers and scoffers I hear,

The foe and avenger against me appear.

9

All this have we suffered, and never forgot

To serve Thee, Jehovah, nor falsely have wrought;

Our heart is not turned, and our steps have not strayed,

Though crushed amid ruins and under death’s shade.