The Irish Presbyterian Hymnbook ‎#P40a

P40a. I waited for the Lord my God

1 I waited for the Lord my God,
and patiently did bear;
at length to me he did incline
my voice and cry to hear.
2 He took me from a fearful pit,
and from the miry clay,
and on a rock he set my feet,
establishing my way.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,
our God to magnify:
many shall see it, and shall fear,
and on the Lord rely.
4 O blessed is the man whose trust
upon the Lord relies;
respecting not the proud, nor such
as turn aside to lies.

5 O Lord my God, full many are
the wonders thou hast done;
thy gracious thoughts to us-ward far
above all thoughts are gone.
None can them reckon to thee;
if I would them declare,
if I would speak of them, they more
than can be numbered are.

6 No sacrifice nor offering
didst thou at all desire;
mine ears thou op’st; sin-offering thou
and burnt didst not require.
7 then to the Lord these were my words,
I come, behold and see;
within the volume of the book
it written is of me;

8 To do thy will I take delight,
O thou my God that art:
yea, that most holy law of thine
I have within my heart.
9 Within the congregation great
I righteousness did preach:
lo, thou dost know, O Lord, that I
refrained not my speech.

10 I never did within my heart
conceal thy righteousness;
I thy salvation have declared,
and shown thy faithfulness:
thy kindness, which most loving is,
concealed have not I,
nor from the congregation great
have hid thy verity.

11 Thy tender mercies, Lord, from me
O do thou not restrain;
thy loving-kindness, and thy truth,
let them me still maintain.
12 For ills past reckoning compass me,
and mine iniquities
such hold upon me taken have,
I cannot lift mine eyes.

More they than hairs upon my head,
thence is my heart dismayed;
13 be pleased, Lord, to rescue me;
Lord, hasten to mine aid.
14 Shamed and confounded be they all
that seek my soul to kill;
yea, let them backward driven be
and sham’d, that wish me ill.

15 For a reward of this their shame
confounded let them be,
who in this manner scoffing; say,
Aha, aha! to me.
16 Let all who seek thy face rejoice,
and still be glad in thee;
who thy salvation love, say still,
the Lord exalted be.

17 I’m poor and needy, yet the Lord
of me a care doth take;
thou art my Saviour and my help;
my God, no tarrying make.

Text Information

• First Line: I waited for the Lord my God
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2004
• Scripture:
  Psalm 40

Tune Information

• Name: BALLERMA
• Composer: François Barthélemon, 1741-1808
• Adapter: Robert Simpson, 1790-1832
• Meter: CM
• Key: A Major
• Source: French song