Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David ‎#17b

17b. God's Care of his People, and punishment of Persecutors

1 My trust is in my heavenly Friend,
My hope in thee, my God;
Rise, and my helpless life defend,
From those that seek my blood.

2 With insolence and fury they
My soul to pieces tear,
As hungry lions rend the prey
When no deliverer’s near.

3 If e'er my pride provok'd them first,
Or once abused my foe,
Then let them tread my life to dust,
And lay mine honour low.

4 If there be malice found in me,
I know thy piercing eyes;
I should not dare appeal to thee,
Nor ask my God to rise.

5 Arise, my God, lift up thy hand,
Their pride and power controul;
Awake to judgement, and command
Deliverance for my soul.

Pause.

6 Let sinners and their wicked rage
Be humbled to the dust;
Shall not the God of truth engage
To vindicate the just?

7 He knows the heart, he tries the reins,
He will defend th' upright:
His sharpest arrows he ordains
Against the sons of spite.

8 Tho' leagu'd in guile their malice spread,
A snare before my way;
Their mischiefs on their impious head,
His vengeance shall repay.

9 That cruel persecuting race
Must feel his dreadful sword:
Awake my soul, and praise the grace
And justice of the LORD.

Text Information

• First Line: My trust is in my heavenly Friend
• Title: God's Care of his People, and punishment of Persecutors
• Meter: Common Metre
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1787
• Scripture:
  Psalm 7
• Topic: Appeal to God: against persecutors; God: his care of saints; Persecution: Deliverance from it; Persecutors: punished

Tune Information

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