One of the sad misses

in Lutheran Service Book is Luther's great paraphrase of Psalm 12. In these days, it seems we have need of it again:

O Lord, look down from heav'n, behold,

And let Thy pity waken;

How few are we within Thy fold,

Thy saints by men forsaken!

True faith seems quenched on ev'ry hand,

Men suffer not Thy Word to stand;

Dark times have us o'ertaken.

With fraud which they themselves invent

Thy truth they have confounded;

Their hearts are not with one consent

On Thy pure doctrine grounded.

While they parade with outward show,

They lead the people to and fro,

In error's maze astounded.

May God root out all heresy

And of false teachers rid us,

Who proudly say: "Now where is he

That shall our speech forbid us?

By right or might we shall prevail;

What we determine cannot fail;

We own no lord and master."

Therefore saith God, "I must arise,

The poor My help are needing;

To Me ascend My people's cries,

And I have heard their pleading.

For them My saving Word shall fight

And fearlessly and sharply smite,

The poor with might defending."

As silver tried by fire is pure

From all adulteration,

So thro' God's Word shall men endure

Each trial and temptation.

Its light beams brighter thro' the cross,

And, purified from human dross,

It shines through every nation.

Defend Thy truth, O God, and stay

This evil generation;

And from the error of its way

Keep Thine own congregation.

The wicked everywhere abound,

And would Thy little flock confound;

But Thou art our salvation. 

TLH, #260

You can listen here.