Help, Lord, for Men of Virtue Fail is a hymn highlighting the scarcity of the godly and the prevalence of deceit. It underscores the plea for divine intervention amidst moral decline and reassures believers of God’s promise to protect the oppressed and uphold His pure words.
VERSE 1
Help, LORD, for men of virtue fail,
religion loses ground!
The sons of violence prevail,
and treacheries abound.
Their oaths and promises they break,
yet act the flatterer’s part;
with fair, deceitful lips they speak,
and with a double heart.
VERSE 2
If we reprove some hateful lie,
they scorn our faithful word:
“Are not our lips our own,” they cry,
“and who shall be our Lord?”
Scoffers appear on every side,
where a vile race of men
is raised to seats of power and pride,
and bears the sword in vain.
VERSE 3
Lord, when iniquities abound,
and blasphemy grows bold,
when faith is rarely to be found,
and love is waxen cold:
is not thy chariot hastening on!
Hast Thou not given the sign?
May we not trust and live upon
a promise so divine?
VERSE 4
“Yes, saith the LORD, “now will I rise,
and make the oppressors flee;
I shall appear to their surprise,
and set My servants free.”
Thy word, like silver seven times tried,
thro’ ages shall endure:
the men that in Thy truth confide,
shall find Thy promise sure.
Story behind Help Lord for Men of Virtue Fail Hymn
”Help, Lord, for Men of Virtue Fail” is a hymn penned by Isaac Watts in 1719. This composition is part of Watts’ “Psalms of David,” where he reimagined biblical psalms into English hymns. [1]
The hymn draws inspiration from Psalm 12, reflecting on the decline of virtue and the prevalence of deceit. Watts’ adaptation emphasizes the need for divine intervention in times of moral decay. [2]
Over time, the hymn has been paired with various musical settings. Notably, the tune “Sasha” was composed by Joan J. Pinkston. This arrangement offers a contemporary melody that complements Watts’ timeless lyrics. [3]
The Decline of the Godly and Faithful
”Help, LORD, for men of virtue fail, religion loses ground!” expresses a plea for divine intervention amidst a decline in moral integrity and faithfulness. This mirrors Psalm 12:1, where David laments the scarcity of the godly and faithful. The phrase underscores the believer’s reliance on God during times of widespread unfaithfulness.
“Their oaths and promises they break, yet act the flatterer’s part; with fair, deceitful lips they speak, and with a double heart.” This highlights the prevalence of deceit and hypocrisy, aligning with Psalm 12:2, which describes individuals speaking falsehood with flattering lips and divided hearts. It serves as a caution against duplicity and emphasizes the value of sincerity in speech and conduct.
“Lord, when iniquities abound, and blasphemy grows bold, when faith is rarely to be found, and love is waxen cold.” This reflects a period where sin is rampant, and genuine faith and love are scarce, reminiscent of Matthew 24:12, where Jesus warns that increased wickedness will cause many love to grow cold. It calls believers to remain steadfast in faith and love despite prevailing immorality.
“Yes, saith the LORD, ‘now will I rise, and make the oppressors flee; I shall appear to their surprise, and set My servants free.'” This conveys God’s promise to act against oppression and deliver His faithful, echoing Psalm 12:5, where the Lord vows to protect the oppressed and needy. It reassures believers of God’s justice and intervention on behalf of the righteous.
The hymn maintains theological depth by addressing themes of moral decline, deceit, steadfastness in faith, and divine justice. The lyrics align with biblical teachings, emphasizing reliance on God’s promises during challenging times. There are no evident unbiblical or misleading concepts in the song.
Relevant Bible Verses about Help Lord for Men of Virtue Fail
“Help, Lord, for the godly person has come to an end, For the faithful have disappeared from the sons of mankind. They speak lies to one another; They speak with flattering lips and a double heart.” Psalm 12:1-2 NASB
“Because of the devastation of the poor, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will put him in the safety for which he longs.” Psalm 12:5 NASB
“The words of the Lord are pure words; Like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, filtered seven times.” Psalm 12:6 NASB
“And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold.” Matthew 24:12 NASB
More Free PowerPoints Downloads
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Bible Readings Free Downloads
- Revelation 2:8-11 Letter to the Church in Smyrna
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Help Lord for Men of Virtue Fail lyrics and music by Isaac Watts, (1719) Public Domain
▷ Scripture quotations taken from the World English Bible (WEB), which is in the public domain.