"The Mouth of Fools Doth God Confess" Ps. 14. Martin Luther, 1524; R. Massie, tr. Text from: EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN HYMN-BOOK (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1912), pp. 280-282. 277 8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7 THE Mouth of fools doth God confess, But while their lips draw nigh to 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 practiced 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 eat my people up like bread? So fierce are they, and greedy! In God they put no trust at all, Nor will on Him 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 from 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. ______________________________________________________________ This text was converted to text format for Project Wittenberg by Christopher M. Fincher 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, Concordia Theological Seminary. E-mail: CFWLibrary@CRF.CUIS.EDU Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA Phone: (260) 452-3149 Fax: (260) 452-2126 ______________________________________________________________