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Author: J. H. Appears in 3 hymnals Lyrics: 1 Lord, plead my cause against my foes,
confound their force and might,
And take my part against all those
that seek with me to fight:
2 Lay hold upon the spear and shield,
thyself in armour dress,
Stand up with me to fight the field,
and help me from distress:
3 Gird on thy sword and stop the way,
my enemies withstand,
That thou unto my soul may'st say,
I am thy help at hand.
4 Confound them with rebuke and blame,
that seek my soul to spill;
Let them turn back and flee with shame,
that think to work me ill
5 Let them disperse and flee abroad,
as wind doth drive the dust;
That so the Angel of our God
their might away may thrust
6 Let all their ways be void of light,
and slipp'ry, like to fall;
And send thy Angel with thy might
to persecute them all
7 For why? Without my fault have they
in secret set their gin,
And digged a pit in my path-way,
to take my soul therein
8 When they think least, and have no care,
O Lord, destroy them all;
Let them be caught in their own snare,
and in their mischief fall.
9 But let my soul, my heart, and voice,
in God have joy and wealth,
That in the Lord I may rejoice,
and in his saving health:
10 Then all my bones shall speak and say
(my parts shall all agree)
O thou great God of heaven and earth,
what man is like to thee!
The Second Part
11 Thou dost defend the weak from them,
that are both stout and strong,
And rid the poor from wicked men,
that spoil and do them wrong.
12 My cruel foes against me rise
to witness things untrue,
And to accuse me they devise
of things I never knew
13 Where I to them did shew good will,
they quit me with disdain;
That they should pay my good with ill
my soul doth sore complain
14 When they were sick I mourn'd therefore,
myself in sackcloth clad,
With fasting I did faint full sore,
and pray'd with heart most sad
15 As they had been my brethren dear
I did myself behave,
As one that mourneth heavily
about his mother's grave:
16 But they in my adversity
did gather in a rout;
Yea, abject slaves reproachfully
at me did mock and flout.
17 The belly-gods and flatt'ring train,
that all good things deride,
At me did grin with great disdain,
turning their mouths aside
18 Lord, when wilt thou for me appear?
Why dost thou stay and pause?
O rid my soul, my darling dear,
out of these lions claws:
19 And when will I give thanks to thee
before the church always;
And where most of the people be,
there will I shew thy praise.
20 Let not my foes prevail on me,
which hate me for no fault;
Neither let them wink with their eyes,
that causeless me assault
The Third Part
21 Of peace no word they think or say,
their talk is all untrue;
They still consult how to betray
all those that peace pursue.
22 With open mouth they run at me,
their fury is like fire:
Well, well, say they, our eye doth see
the thing that we desire.
23 But, Lord, thou seest what ways they take,
and what they do intend;
Be not far off, nor me forsake,
but speedy help me send.
24 Awake, arise, and stir abroad,
defend me in my right;
Revenge my cause, O Lord my God,
and aid me with thy might.
25 According to thy righteousness,
O Lord God, set me free;
And let them not their price express,
nor triumph over me
26 Let not their hearts rejoice, nor cry,
E'en so we would it have;
Nor give them cause to say on high,
He's sunk into the grave
27 Confound them all that do rejoice
when they my trouble see,
Let them be cloathed with rebuke,
that boast with scorn at me
28 But let them heartily rejoice,
who love my upright way;
Let them all times with heart and voice
still praise the Lord and say,
29 Great is the Lord, and doth excel,
and he doth much delight
To see his servants prosper well,
it is his pleasant sight.
30 Wherefore my tongue I will apply
thy righteousness to praise;
To thee, O Lord my God, will I
give laud and thanks always. Scripture: Psalm 35
Lord plead my cause against my foes