36. Salvum me fac

1 Save me, O God, and that with speed,
the waters flow full fast:
So nigh my soul do they proceed,
that I am sore agast.
2 I sincke full deepe in mire and clay,
whereas I feele no ground:
I fall into such floods I say,
that I am like be drownd.

3 With crying oft, I faint and quaile,
my throat is hoarse and drie
With looking up my sight doth faile,
for help to God on high.
4 My foes that guiltlesse do oppresse
my soul, with hate are led:
In number sure they are no lesse
than haires are on my head.

5 Though for no cause they vexe me sore
they prosper and are glad:
They do compell me to restore
the things I never had.
6 What I have done for want of wit,
thou Lord all times canst tell:
And all the faults that I commit,
to thee are known full well.

7 O God of hosts, defend and stay
all those that trust in thee:
Let no man doubt or shrink away,
for ought that chanceth me.
8 It is for thee and for thy sake,
that I do beare this blame:
In spite to thee they would me make
to hide my face for shame.

9 My mothers sonnes my brethren all
forsake me on a row:
And as a stranger they me call,
my face they will not know.
10 Unto thy house such zeal I beare,
that it doth pine me much:
Their checks and taunts at thee to heare.
my very heart doth grutch.

The second Part:

11 Though I do fast my flesh to chast,
yea if I weep and mone:
Yet in my teeth this thing is cast,
they passe not thereupon.
12 If I for griefe and paine of heart
in sackcloth use to walk:
Then they anon will it pervert,
thereof they jest and talk.

13 Both high and low, and all the throng
that sit within the gate:
They have me ever in their tongue,
of me they talk and prate,
14 They drunkard which in wine delight,
it is their chiefe pastime:
To seek which way to work me spight,
of me they sing and rime.

15 But thee the while, O Lord I pray,
that when it pleaseth thee,
For thy great truth thou wilt alway
send down thine aid to me.
16 Pluck thou my feet out of the mire,
from drowning do me keep:
From such as owe me wrath and ire,
and from the waters deep.

17 Lest with the waves I should be drownd
and depth my soul devoure:
And that the pit should me confound,
and shut me in her power.
18 O Lord of hoasts to me give eare,
as thou art good and kind:
And as thy mercy is most deare,
Lord, have me in thy mind.

19 And do not from thy servant hide,
nor turne thy face away:
I am opprest on every side,
in hast give eare I say.
20 O Lord unto my soul draw nigh,
the same with aid repose:
Because of their great tyrannie
acquit me from my foes.

The third Part:

21 That I abide rebuke and shame.
thou knowest, and thou canst tell:
For those that seek and work the same,
thou seest them all full well.
22 When they with brags do break my heart,
I seek for help anon:
But find no friends to ease my smart
to comfort me not one.

23 But in my meat they gave me gall,
too cruell for to think:
And gave me in my thirst withall,
strong vinegar to drink.
24 Lord, turn their table to a snare,
to take themselves therein:
And when they think full well to fare,
then trap them in the gin.

25 And let their eyes be dark and blind,
that they may nothing see:
Bow down their backs and do them bind
in thraldome for to be.
26 Powre out thy wrath as hot as fire,
that it on them may fall:
Let thy displeasure in thine ire
take hold upon them all.

27 As desarts drie their house disgrace,
their offspring eke expell:
That none thereof possesse their place,
nor in their tents once dwell.
28 If thou dost strike a man to tame,
on him they lay full sore:
And if that thou dost wound the same,
they seek to hurt him more.

29 Then let them heap up mischiefs still,
(sith they are all pervert)
That of thy favour and good will
they never have a part.
30 And raze them clean out of thy book
of life, of hope, and trust:
That for their names they never look
in number of the just.

The fourth Part:

31 Though I (O Lord) with wo and grief
have been full sore opprest
Thy help shall give me such relief,
that all shall be redrest.
32 That I may give thy Name the praise,
and shew it with a song:
I will extoll the same alwaies
with hearty thanks among.

33 Which is more pleasant unto thee,
(such mind thy grace hath born)
Than either Ox or Calfe can be:
that hath both hoof and horn.
34 When simple folk do this behold,
it shall rejoyce them sure,
And ye that seek the Lord behold,
your life for aye shall dure.

35 For why? the Lord of hoasts shall heare
the poore when they complaine:
His prispners are to him full deare,
he doth them not disdaine.
36 Wherefore the skie and earth belowe
the sea with floud and streame,
His praises shall declare and shew,
with all that live in them.

37 For sure our God will Sion save,
and Judaes Cities build:
Much folk possession there shall have,
her streets shall all be fild.
38 His servants seed shall keep the same.
all ages out of mind:
39 And there all they that love his Name,
a dwelling place shall find.

Text Information
First Line: Save me O God, and that with speed
Title: Salvum me fac
Author: J. H.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1640
Scripture:
Tune Information
Name: [Save me, O God, and that with speed]
Key: g minor



Media
MIDI file: Midi

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