O Lord, my Rock, to thee I cry, In sighs consume my breath

1 O Lord, my rock, to thee I cry,
in sighs consume my breath;
O! answer, or I shall become
like those that sleep in death.

2 Regard my supplication, Lord,
the cries that I repeat,
With weeping eyes, and lifted hands,
before thy mercy-seat.

3 Let me escape the sinner's doom,
who make a trade of ill,
And ever speak the person fair,
whose blood they mean to spill.

4 According to their crimes' extent,
let justice have its course:
Relentless be to them, as they
have sinn'd without remorse.

5 Since they the works of God despise,
nor will his grace adore;
His wrath shall utterly destroy,
and build them up no more.

6 But I, with due acknowledgment,
his praises will resound,
From whom the cries of my distress
a gracious answer found.

7 My heart its confidence repos'd
in God my atrength and shield;
In him I trusted, and return'd
triumphant from the field.

As He hath made my joys complete,
'tis just that I should raise
The chearful tribute of my thanks,
and thus resound his praise:

8 "His aiding pow'r supports the troops
"that my just cause maintain:
"'Twas he advanc'd me to the throne;
"'tis he secures my reign."

9 Preserve thy chosen, and proceed
thine heritage to bless:
With plenty prosper them, in peace;
in battle, with success.


Source: The Whole Book of Psalms: in metre; with hymns suited to the feasts and fasts of the church, and other occasions of public worship #XXVIII