Among th’assemblies of the great
A greater Ruler takes His seat;
The God of Heav’n, as Judge, surveys,
The gods on earth, and all their ways.

Why will ye, then, frame wicked laws?
Or why support th’unrighteous cause?
When will ye once defend the poor,
That sinners vex the saints no more?

They know not, Lord, nor will they know;
Dark are the ways in which they go;
Their name of earthly gods is vain,
For they shall fall and die like men.

Arise, O Lord, and let Thy Son
Possess His universal throne,
And rule the nations with His rod,
He is our Judge, and He our God.

There where the judges gather
A Greater takes His seat;
“How long,” He asks the judges,
“Will ye pronounce deceit?
How long respect the persons
Of them of ill repute?
How long neglect the orphaned,
The poor and destitute?

“Deal justly with the needy,
Protect the fatherless,
Deliver the afflicted
From those who would distress.
But you are wholly blinded,
You do not understand;
Therefore foundations totter,
Injustice rocks the land.”

He speaks, “I named you rulers,
Sons of the Most High God,
But you shall die as mortals,
And perish by My rod.”
Arise, Thou God of judgment,
Thy sovereignty make known;
For Thine shall be the nations,
The peoples Thou shalt own.

Where’er His creatures gather,
The unseen God is near;
Let rulers fear their Ruler,
Their Judge let judges fear.
How long, ye earthly judges,
Will ye pervert the right?
How long shall wicked persons
Have favor in your sight?

Do justice for the helpless,
The orphan’s cause maintain.
Defend the poor and needy,
Oppressed and wronged for gain.
When rulers walk in darkness,
When judges truth forsake,
The cornerstones are crumbled,
The firm foundations shake.

The most high God has called you
And set you up on high,
But ye to Him must answer,
For ye like men must die.
Arise, O God eternal,
Thou Judge of all the earth,
Through all Thy ransomed nations
Send now Thy justice forth.