1 Thee will I love, O LORD! my light;
The LORD my Savior is, my might!
The God in whom I can confide,
The Refuge, where I may abide,
My Shield, my Castle, my Defense,
The Horn of my deliverance!
2 Worthy of praise! I call on Thee,
So shall I safe from peril be!
Sorrow and death were pressing near,
And sin's o'er flowing's made me fear
About me came the pains of hell,
The snares of death upon me fell!
3 But in my trouble, Thee I sought,
And my complaint to God I brought;
My call He from His temple heard,
His Ear received each humble word;
Then the firm earth with trembling shook,
The hills were moved at His rebuke.
4 A smoke out of His nostrils came,
And from His lips consuming flame;
That coals were kindled! Down He bowed
The heavens, beneath Him was thick cloud:
On cherubim He rode on high,
And on the wind's wide wings did fly.
5 He sent, (for all my need He knew,)
And me from the great waters drew;
From mighty foes He set me free,
By hatred made too strong for me!
They had forestalled me in their day,
But God the LORD was still my stay.
6 He brought me forth, and by His grace
Made for my goings ample place;
The LORD did thus my truth requite,
And hands unsullied in His sight
For still I've kept His holy way,
Nor wandered wickedly astray.
7 To me His judgments have been near,
Nor have I put aside His fear;
I've walked with Him in counsels good,
And still temptation have withstood:
Therefore, doth He my truth requite,
And hands, unsullied in His sight.
8 Mercy the merciful shall find,
Right shall attend the righteous mind;
Pure, You will meet the pure in heart,
But to the froward, froward are!
You will all haughty looks abase,
But to the lowly givest grace.
9 My darkness You shall put to flight,
Yes, You shall, LORD, my candle light;
Though hosts oppose, I pass them all,
And, by Thy help o'erleap the wall!
Pure is Thy way, Thy Word is tried,
Our Shield, if we in Thee confide.
10 The LORD doth live, my rock and might,
And blessed be my salvation's light!
Tis God that doth avenge his king,
And under me the heathen bring;
My lifter-up and sure defense
Against all men of violence.