Deus stetit. Ps.82.I.H.

Amid the praise with men of might,
the Lord himself did stand:
To plead the cause of truth and right,
with judges of the land.

2 How long, said he, will you proceed,
false judgment to award?
And have respect for love of mead,
the wicked to regard?

3 Whereas of due you should defend
the fatherless and weak:
And when the poor man doth contend
in judgment justly speak.

4 If ye be wise, defend the cause
of poor men in their right:
And rid the needy from the claws
of tyrants force and might.

5 But nothing will they know or learn
in vain to them I talk:
They will not see, or ought discern
but will in darkness walk.
For lo even now the time is come
that all things fall to naught:
And likewise laws both all and some,
for gain are sold and bought.

6 I had decreed it in my sigh,
as God’s to take you all:
And children to the most of might
for love I did you call.

7 But notwithstanding ye shall die
as men, and so decay:
O tyrants, I shall you destroy,
and pluck you quite away.

8 Up Lord, and let thy strength be known
and judge the world with might:
For why? all nations are thine own,
to take them as thy right.