53 Unharmed through the sea, where perished their foe,
he caused them with ease and safety to go;
54 his holy land gaining, in peace they were brought
to dwell in the mountain the Lord’s hand had bought.
55 He gave them the land, a heritage fair;
the nations that dwelt in wickedness there
he drove out before them with great overthrow
and gave to his people the tents of the foe.
56-57 Again they rebelled and tempted the Lord,
58 unfaithful, they turned to idols abhorred,
59 and God in his anger withdrew from them then,
60-61 no longer delighting to dwell among men.
62 He gave them to death in battle, although
his glory and strength were scorned by the foe;
63 their young men were fallen, their maidens unwed,
64 their priest slain in battle, none wept for the dead.
65 Then mercy awoke, the Lord in his might
66-68 returned, and the foes were scattered in flight;
again to his people his favor he showed
69 and chose in Mount Zion to fix his abode.
70-71 His servant he called, a shepherd of sheep,
from tending his flock, the people to keep;
72 so David their shepherd with wisdom and might
protected and fed them and led them aright.
– Psalter, 1912, alt.
Oremus 