The Psalms of David ‎#17

17. To my just plea, and sad complaint

1 To my just plea, and sad complaint,
Attend, O righteous Lord,
And to my pray'r, as 'tis unfeign'd,
A gracious ear afford.

2 As in thy sight I am approv'd,
So let my sentence be;
And with impartial eyes, O Lord,
My upright dealing see.

3 For thou hast search'd and prov'd each part,
And watch'd me day and night;
And thou hast seen my tongue and heart
Have aim'd at what was right.

4 Concerning all the works of men,
Thou know's my heart, O Lord
How true and faithful I have been
According to thy word.

5 Hold up my goings in thy path,
Nor let my footsteps slide:
O Lord, my God, ev'n unto death
Be thou my constant guide.

Part II.

6 Lord, I am thine; but thou wilt prove
My faith, my patience, and my love;
When men of spite against me join,
They are the sword, the hand is thine.

7 Their hope and portion lies below;
’Tis all the happiness they know,
’Tis all they seek; they take their shares;
And leave the rest among their heirs.

8 What sinners value, I resign;
Lord, ’tis enough that thou art mine:
I shall behold thy blissful face,
And stand complete in righteousness.

9 This life’s a dream, an empty show;
But the bright world, to which I go,
Hath joys substantial and sincere;
When shall I wake and find me there?

10 O glorious hour! O blest abode!
I shall be near and like my God;
And flesh and sin no more controul
The sacred pleasures of the soul.

11 My flesh shall slumber in the ground,
Till the last trumpet’s joyful sound;
Then burst the chains in sweet surprise,
And in my Saviour’s image rise.

Text Information

• First Line: To my just plea, and sad complaint
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1789
• Scripture:
  Psalm 17
• Notes: Now Public Domain. The first two stanzas are from Tate and Brady's Psalm 17, Part II is from Isaac Watt's Psalm 17, Long Metre version.

Tune Information

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