A New Version of the Psalms of David ‎#24

24. Thee, Lord, my strength, I'll dearly love

1. Thee, Lord, my Strength, I'll dearly love.
2. The Lord's my Rock, to which I fly;
My Fortress strong, where safe I prove;
My Saviour from mine Enemy:
My God, my pow'rful Aid, from whence
My steady Trust securely flows:
My guarding Shield, my sure Defence,
My Tow'r, above the Reach of Foes.

3. Depending on thy wonted Grace,
O Lord, my Pray'r I'll make to Thee;
(Who worthy art of all our Praise,)
So, from my Foes, I sav'd shall be.
4. Amazing Sorrows seiz'd my Soul,
While Death it's Terrors round me spread;
As when impetuous Torrents rowl,
Ungodly Men made me afraid.

5. The Cords of Hell, a dreadful Net,
Entangling me encompass'd round;
Death's Snares, about me close beset,
And how to 'scape no Way I found.
6. In my Distress, to God my Pray'r,
With mournful Voice, I then prefer'd;
Who, from his Throne, bow'd down his Ear,
And my Request, in Mercy, heard.

Second Part

7. The solid Earth then shook with Fear,
And dreadful Trembling on it seiz'd:
The Hills Foundations moved were,
And shook, for God was sore displeas'd.
8. From his enraged Nostrils rose
Thick Clouds of smoke; His Mouth out-threw
Devouring Fire; in midst of those,
Hot Thunder-Bolts around him flew.

9. He bow'd the Heavens, and came down,
In solemn Pomp march'd from his Seat;
Darkness, from his imperial Throne,
Was spread beneath his royal Feet.
10. He on a fiery Cherub rode,
That clave with speed the yielding Air;
The Winds, obsequious to their God,
Him, swift, on strongest Pinions, bear.

11. His Glory, Darkness hid from View;
For his Pavilion, Mists arise;
He, for a Cov'ring, round him threw,
His thick Clouds from the nether Skies.
12. Before him, Brightness he sent out,
His thick Clouds, then, in haste retire;
They fell, dissolv'd, a dismal Rout,
In Show'rs of Hail, and Storms of Fire.

13. The Lord, with roaring Thunder's Noise,
From Heav'n, the En'my struck with Dread;
Th' Almighty spoke with angry Voice,
And Hail, and Fire, the Terrors spread.
14. He cast his Arrows from the Sky,
Which broke the Forces of the Foe;
His pointed Light'nings swiftly fly,
And soon compleat their Overthrow.

15. Then did the Floods new Channels wear,
The torn World it's Foundations show'd;
For, Lord, thy Vengeance did appear,
Fierce Blasts from thy hot Nostrils flow'd.

Third Part

16. From high he sent, he seiz'd on me,
He drew me from the Waters great.
17. From my strong Foe he set me free;
Too strong for me, who me did hate.
18. In my dark Day they had o'ercome.
But God sustain'd me by his Might.
19. Chang'd my close Siege for larger Room,
Sav'd me, in whom he took Delight.

20. The Lord did my clean Hands repay;
And recompence my upright Heart.
21. I did not leave thy righteous Way;
Nor wickedly from God depart.
22. His Judgments all were in my Sight;
None of his Laws my Soul disdain'd.
23. My Heart before him was upright;
And from my darling Sin refrain'd.

24. Therefore the Lord rewarded me.
According to my Righteousness;
And as he saw my Hands were free
From Wrong, my Griefs did soon redress.
25. "Kind to the Kind thou, Lord, wilt prove;
"And just to them that Justice love.
26. "The Pure thy Purity shall see;
"To Froward just Returns shall be.

27. "Thou wilt the meek afflicted raise;
"But haughty Looks in Dust debase.
28 "The Lord will make my Lamp shine bright;
"And turn my Darkness into Light.
29. Thus aided, I have broken through,
My num'rous Foes, an armed Host:
Thus, guarded by my God, I flew,
And scal'd their Walls, their greatest Boast.

30. O God, thy Ways are perfect found.
Thy Word, O Lord, is throughly try'd;
Thou, as a Shield, wilt them surround,
Whose stedfast Hopes on Thee abide.

31. "Whom, save Jehovah then alone,
"Shall we, as God, adoring own?
"What Rock of Strength shall us defend,
"But God? who is our constant Friend.
32. 'Tis God that girds me with his Might;
And brings to pass my just Intent.
33. Makes my Feet swift, as Hinds, in Flight;
And strong to climb the steep Ascent.

34. My Hands he well instructed how
To manage War, with dexterous Skill;
My strength'ned Arm can break the Bow,
That's made of well-wrought temper'd Steel.

35. Thou gav'st me the protecting Shield
Of thy Salvation, in my Strait;
Thy Right-hand still hath me upheld.
Thy Gentleness hath made me great.

36. My strait'ned Steps thou hast enlarg'd;
My Feet ne'er slipt, nor were destroy'd.
37. My Foes I hot pursu'd, o'ercharg'd,
And turn'd not till they were destroy'd.
38. I gave them such a total Rout,
Their vanquisht Force no more made Head;
They prostrate fell, all round about,
And, slain, beneath my Feet were spread.

39. For thou hast girded me with Strength,
The Heat of Battle to sustain;
Thou hast subdu'd my Foes at length,
And made them stoop to my just Reign.
40. To me, mine En'mies Necks, he gave;
To stay my Haters on the Spot.
41. They cry'd for Help, but none did save;
Yes, to the Lord, who answer'd not.

42. Then small as Dust, before the Wind,
Their mighty num'rous Troops I beat,
Their Corpse, with great Contempt design'd,
I cast, as Mire, in th' open Street.

Fifth Part

43. Fierce Strifes, and Factions, thou hast laid;
And made the Rebels own my Sway;
O'er neighb'ring Heathen plac'd me Head,
And Realms unknown shall me obey.
44. Soon as they hear, they'l Homage pay:
Strangers submiss shall prostrate ly.
45. They that resist shall melt away;
And frighten'd from their Coverts fly.

46. The Lord lives; let my Rock be blest;
Exalted be my Saviour God.
47. God's Vengeance does my Foes arrest.
Subjects whole Nations to my Rod.
48. Thou sav'dst me from mine Enemies,
Rais'd me, and wast my sure Defence,
From all that up against me rise;
Ev'n from the Man of Violence.

49. Therefore, O Lord, my grateful Heart,
And Voice, shall celebrate thy Fame:
To heathen Lands thy Acts impart,
And Praises sing unto thy Name.
50. God great Deliv'rance gives his King;
Shews his Anointed signal Grace;
Which evermore afresh shall spring.
To David and his promis'd Race.

Text Information

• First Line: Thee, Lord, my strength, I'll dearly love
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1752
• Scripture:
  Psalm 18

Tune Information

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