The Whole Book of Psalms ‎#XVII

XVII. 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 my heart by day,
and visited by night;
And, on the strictest trial, found
in secret motions right.
Nor shall thy justice, Lord, alone
my heart's designs acquit;
For I have purpos'd that my tongue
shall no offence commit.

4 I know what wicked men would do,
their safety to maintain;
But me thy just and mild commands
from bloody paths restrain
5 That I may still, in spite of wrongs,
my innocence secure,
O guide me in thy righteous ways,
and make my footsteps sure.

6 Since, heretofore, I ne'er in vain
to thee my pray'r address'd;
O! now, my god, incline thine ear
to this my just request.
7 The wonders of thy truth and love
in my defence engage;
Thou, whose right hand preserves thy saints
From their oppressor's rage.

Part II.

8.9 O! keep me in thy tend'rest care;
thy shelt'ring wings stretch out,
To guard me safe from savage foes,
that compass me about;
10 O'ergrown with Luxury, inclos'd
in their own fat they lie;
And, with a proud blaspheming mouth
both God and man defy.

11 Well may they boast, for they have now
my paths encompass'd round;
Their eyes at watch, their bodies bow'd,
and couching on the ground.
12 In posture of a lion set,
when greedy of his prey;
Or a young lion, when he lurks
within a covert way.

13 Arise, O Lord, defeat their plots,
their swelling rage controul:
From wicked men, who are thy sword,
deliver thou my soul:
14 From worldly men, thy sharpest scourge,
whose portion's here below;
Who fill'd with earthly stores, aspire
no other bliss to know.
15 Their race is num'rous, that partake
their substance while they live;
Their heirs survive, to whom they may
the vast remainder give.
16 But I, in uprightness, thy face
shall view without controul;
And, waking, shall its image find
reflected in my soul.

Text Information

• First Line: To my just plea, and sad complaint
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1793
• Scripture:
  Psalm 17

Tune Information

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