Why Doth The Lord Stand Off So Far? – Hymn Lyric
Have you ever wondered why it sometimes feels like God is distant or silent? Why, in times of great calamities and deep distress, does it appear that the Lord stands off so far? These are common questions that have plagued the hearts and minds of believers throughout history. In this hymn, the psalmist eloquently expresses their longing for God’s intervention and justice in the face of wickedness and oppression.
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Why Doth The Lord Stand Off So Far?
Why doth the Lord stand off so far?
And why conceal His face,
When great calamities appear,
And times of deep distress?
Lord, shall the wicked still deride
Thy justice and Thy power?
Shall they advance their heads in pride,
And still Thy saints devour?
They put Thy judgments from their sight,
And then insult the poor;
They boast in their exalted height,
That they shall fall no more.
Arise, O God, lift up Thine hand,
Attend our humble cry;
No enemy shall dare to stand
When God ascends on high.
Why do the men of malice rage,
And say, with foolish pride,
“The God of Heav’n will ne’er engage
To fight on Zion’s side?”
But Thou forever art our Lord;
And powerful is Thine hand,
As when the heathens felt Thy sword,
And perished from Thy land.
Thou wilt prepare our hearts to pray,
And cause Thine ear to hear;
He hearkens what His children say,
And puts the world in fear.
Proud tyrants shall no more oppress,
No more despise the just;
And mighty sinners shall confess
They are but earth and dust.
Meaning of Why Doth The Lord Stand Off So Far? – Hymn Lyric
Why Doth The Lord Stand Off So Far?
Have you ever wondered why it sometimes feels like God is distant or silent? Why, in times of great calamities and deep distress, does it appear that the Lord stands off so far? These are common questions that have plagued the hearts and minds of believers throughout history. In this hymn, the psalmist eloquently expresses their longing for God’s intervention and justice in the face of wickedness and oppression.
The psalmist begins by acknowledging the apparent absence of God. They wonder why He conceals His face when troubles arise. It’s natural for us to question why God doesn’t always intervene immediately in the face of great suffering or when the wicked seem to prosper. We yearn for His justice and power to be evident in these times of darkness.
The psalmist also ponders on the audacity of the wicked who continue to mock God’s justice and power. The enemies of righteousness gloat in their own strength, advancing their heads in pride as they devour the saints. They put God’s judgments out of sight, believing they are invincible and that the poor are beneath them. They boast in their exalted height, thinking they shall never fall.
However, the psalmist knows that their confidence is misplaced. They cry out to God to arise and lift up His hand in response to their humble plea. They trust in the Lord’s power and believe that no enemy can stand when God ascends on high. While the wicked may deride and foolishly question if the God of Heaven will fight on Zion’s side, the psalmist restates their faith that God is forever their Lord, and His hand is powerful. They remember how the heathens felt the magnitude of His sword and perished from His land.
In the face of adversity, the psalmist also finds hope in prayer. They believe that God will prepare their hearts to pray and that He listens attentively to the cries of His children. He hears their pleas and puts the world in fear. This reassurance reminds us that our prayers are not in vain. God is always present and ready to listen to us, even when it feels like He is distant.
The psalmist expresses their confidence that God will ultimately bring about justice. Proud tyrants will no longer oppress or despise the just. Mighty sinners will be forced to acknowledge their own mortality and insignificance. They will confess that they are but earth and dust, powerless before the Almighty.
In this hymn, we see a beautiful reflection of the human experience. It acknowledges the doubts and questions that arise when we face difficulties and injustices. By expressing these doubts and questions, the psalmist invites us to bring our own doubts and questions before God. It is natural to wonder why He seems distant at times, but it is important to hold onto the hope and faith that He sees and hears us.
When we encounter periods of darkness and confusion, we can draw strength from the psalmist’s words. We can remember that God’s timing is not always our timing and that His ways are higher than ours. He may seem to stand off so far, but He is working in the background, orchestrating events and preparing our hearts for His intervention.
So, if you find yourself asking, “Why doth the Lord stand off so far?” know that you are not alone. The psalmist’s words resonate with our own inquiries, doubts, and longings. Hold onto the hope that God hears our prayers, that He is attentive to our cries, and that His justice will prevail. Trust in His eternal sovereignty and take comfort in knowing that the wicked, in all their pride and power, are but fleeting dust in the face of His everlasting might.
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