The Psalms of David ‎#77

77. To God I cry'd with mournful voice

1 To God I cry'd with mournful voice
I sought his gracious ear,
In the sad hour, when trouble rose,
And fill'd my heart with fear.

2 Sad were my days, and dark my nights,
My soul refus'd relief;
I thought on God, the just and wise,
But thoughts increas'd my grief.

3 Still I complain'd and still opprest,
My heart began to break;
My God, thy wrath forbade me rest,
And kept mine eyes awake.

4 My overwhelming sorrows grew,
'Till I could speak no more;
Then I within myself withdrew,
And called thy judgments o’er.

5 I call'd back years and ancient times
When I beheld thy face;
My spirit searched for secret crimes
That might withhold thy grace.

6 I call'd thy mercies to my mind,
Which I enjoy'd before;
And will the Lord no more be kind;
His face appear no more?

7 Will he for ever cast me off?
His promise ever fail?
Has he forgot his tender love?
Shall anger still prevail?

8 But I forbid this hopeless thought,
This dark, despairing frame,
Rememb’ring what thy hand hath wrought;
Thy hand is still the same.

9 I’ll think again of all thy ways,
And talk thy wonders o’er,
Thy wonders of recov'ring grace,
When flesh could hope no more.

10 Grace dwelt with justice on the throne;
And men that love thy word,
Have in thy sanctuary known
The counsels of the Lord.

Part II.

11 "How awful is thy chast'ning rod!
(May thy own children say)
"The great, the wise, the dreadful God!
"How holy is his way!"

12 I’ll meditate his works of old,
Who reigns in heav'n above,
I’ll hear his ancient wonders told,
And learn to trust his love.

13 He saw the house of Joseph lie
With Egypt’s yoke opprest;
Long he delay'd to hear their cry,
Nor gave his people rest.

14 The sons of pious Jacob seem'd
Abandon'd to their foes;
But his almighty arm redeem'd
The nation that he chose.

15 From slavish chains he sets them free
They follow where he calls;
He bade them venture through the sea,
And made the waves their walls.

16 The waters saw thee, mighty God,
The waters saw thee come;
Backward they fled, and frighted stood,
To make thine armies room.

17 Strange was thy journey thro' the sea,
Thy footsteps, Lord, unknown;
Terrors attend the wond'rous way
That brings thy mercies down.

18 Thy voice with terror in the sound
Thro' clouds and darkness broke;
All heav’n in lightning shone around,
And earth with thunder shook.

19 Thine arrows thro' the skies were hurl'd,
How glorious is the Lord!
Surprise and tremb'ling seiz'd the world,
And all his saints ador'd.

20 He gave them water from the rock;
And safe by Moses’ hand,
Thro' a dry desert led his flock
To Canaan's promis'd land.

Text Information

• First Line: To God I cry'd with mournful voice
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1789
• Scripture:
  Psalm 77

Tune Information

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