LYRICS
| Meter: | 8 6 8 6 (C.M.)
| | Writer(s): | Nicholas Brady & Nahum Tate
| | Transl/Adapt: |
| | Dates: | 1696
| | Bible Refs: | Ps 56
| A New Version of the Psalms of David
| 1821
| 56
|
| 1. Do thou, O God, in mercy help,
for man my life pursues;
To crush me with repeated wrongs
he daily strife renews.
2. Continually my spiteful foes
to ruin me combine;
Thou seest, who sitt'st enthroned on high,
what mighty numbers join.
3. But though sometimes surprised by fear,
(on danger's first alarm,)
Yet still for succor I depend
on thy Almighty arm.
4. God's faithful promise I shall praise:
on which I now rely:
In God I trust, and, trusting him,
the arm of flesh defy.
5. They wrest my words, and make them speak
a sense they never meant:
Their thoughts are all, with restless spite,
on my destruction bent.
6. In close assemblies they combine,
and wicked projects lay;
They watch my steps, and lie in wait
to make my soul their prey.
7. Shall such injustice still escape?
O righteous God, arise;
Let thy just wrath, (too long provoked,)
this impious race chastise.
8. Thou number'st all my steps, since first
I was compelled to flee;
My very tears are treasured up,
and registered by thee.
9. When therefore I invoke thy aid,
my foes shall be o'erthrown;
For I am well assured that God
my righteous cause will own.
10. I'll trust God's word, and so despise
the force that man can raise;
To thee, O God, my vows are due;
to thee I'll render praise.
11. Thou hast retrieved my soul from death,
and thou wilt still secure
The life thou hast so oft preserved,
and make my footsteps sure;
12. That thus protected by thy pow'r
I may this light enjoy,
And in the service of my God
my lengthened days employ.
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