We Have Heard What Our Parents Told

1 O God, we have heard what our parents have told, what wonders you did in the great days of old. 2 The nations were crushed and expelled by your hand; 3 you gave to your people the vict’ry, the land. 4 O LORD, you alone are my God and my King! 5 Command, and your name shall the sure vict’ry bring. 6 I trust not in weapons, for you make us strong; 7-8 we push back our foes and then praise you in song. 9 But you cast us off and brought shame to our boasts; no more into battle you go with our hosts. 11 You gave us like sheep to be slaughtered and slain; 12 the sale of your people has brought you no gain. 13 You make all our neighbors reproach us in pride, 14 and cause those around us to scoff and deride. 15-16 The people revile us and joke at our name; our faces are covered, disgraced with the shame. 17 This happened though we have been faithful to you; 18 our feet have not strayed from the paths that are true. 19 But you broke our lives, LORD; our faith seems in vain. All covered with darkness, to you we complain. 20 If we had forgotten God’s name in our woe 21 or worshiped false idols, then would he not know? No secrets from God in our hearts can remain; 22 yet now we are counted as sheep to be slain. 23-24 Awake and arise, Lord, for why do you sleep? No longer ignore us, but save those who weep. 25 Our lives are brought low; we lie crushed in the dust. 26 Arise and redeem us; your mercy we trust. – Bert Polman