1 In Judah God of old was known; His Name in Israel great; In Salem stood his holy throne, And Sion was his seat.
2 Among the praises of his saints His dwelling there he chose; There he receiv'd their just complaints Against their haughty foes.
3 From Sion went his dreadful word, And broke the threatening spear; The bow, the arrows, and the sword, And crush'd th' Assyrian war.
4 What are the earth's wide kingdoms else But mighty hills of prey? The hill on which Jehovah dwells Is glorious more than they.
5 'Twas Sion's King that stopt the breath Of captains and their bands: The men of might slept fast in death, And never found their hands.
6 At thy rebuke, O Jacob's God, Both horse and chariot fell; Who knows the terrors of thy rod? Thy vengeance who can tell?
7 What power can stand before thy sight When once thy wrath appears? When heaven shines round with dreadful light, The earth lies still and fears.
8 When God in his own sovereign ways Comes down to save th' opprest, The wrath of man shall work his praise, And he'll restrain the rest.
9 [Vow to the Lord, and tribute bring, Ye princes, fear his frown: His terror shakes the proudest king, And cuts an army down.
10 The thunder of his sharp rebuke Our haughty foes shall feel: For Jacob's God hath not forsook, But dwells in Sion still.]