"The Mouth of Fools doth God confess."
                       by Martin Luther, 1483-1546
                              Text From:
                      THE HYMNS OF MARTIN LUTHER
          (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1883), pp. 8-9



        1. The mouth of fools doth God confess,
        But while their lips draw nigh him
        Their heart is full of wickedness,
        And all their deeds deny him.
        Corrupt are they, and every one
        Abominable deeds hath done;
        There is not one well-doer.

        2. The Lord looked down from his high tower
        On all mankind below him,
        To see if any owned his power,
        And truly sought to know him;
        Who all their 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,
        And yet they deemed, in haughty mood,
        Their deeds must surely please him.

        4. How long, by folly blindly led,
        Will ye oppress the needy,
        And eat my people up like bread?
        So fierce are ye, 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 falling leaf dismays them;
        God is with him who doth his will,
        Who trusts him and obeys Him;
        But ye the poor man's hope despise,
        And laugh at him, e'en when he cries,
        That God is his sure comfort.

        6. Who shall to 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.

       

                 "The Mouth of Fools doth God confess."
                       by Martin Luther, 1483-1546
                              Text From:
                      THE HYMNS OF MARTIN LUTHER
          (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1883), pp. 8-9



        1. The mouth of fools doth God confess,
        But while their lips draw nigh him
        Their heart is full of wickedness,
        And all their deeds deny him.
        Corrupt are they, and every one
        Abominable deeds hath done;
        There is not one well-doer.

        2. The Lord looked down from his high tower
        On all mankind below him,
        To see if any owned his power,
        And truly sought to know him;
        Who all their 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,
        And yet they deemed, in haughty mood,
        Their deeds must surely please him.

        4. How long, by folly blindly led,
        Will ye oppress the needy,
        And eat my people up like bread?
        So fierce are ye, 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 falling leaf dismays them;
        God is with him who doth his will,
        Who trusts him and obeys Him;
        But ye the poor man's hope despise,
        And laugh at him, e'en when he cries,
        That God is his sure comfort.

        6. Who shall to 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.

        _______________________________________________________
        Notes:
        Text: Psalm XIV, "Dixit insipiens in corde suo, Non est Deus."
        Hymn III from The Hymns of Martin Luther
        Author: Martin Luther
        Titled: Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl
        Translated by: Richard Massie
        Harmony: Michael Praetorius, 1610
        Melody: Walter's Gesangbuch, 1525
        1st Published in: Eight Songs
        Town: Wittenberg, 1524
        ______________________________________________________________
        This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg
        by Cindy A. Beesley 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 of the Walther
        Library at Concordia Theological Seminary.

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