1 To thee, good God, I ev'ry blessing owe; O hear me now; thy wonted mercy shew: Beneath the shelter of thy wings I'll rest, Till all these dreadful ills are overpast. 2 Thee I'll invoke, thy gracious aid implore, For ne'er was yet with-held thy saving pow'r. 3 From heav'n shalt thou thy kind assistance send; Me shall thy mercy and thy truth defend; Fruitless, my foes their impious slanders dart; Fruitless they aim their mischiefs at my heart: 4 E'en tho' 'mong savage lions, fierce and fell, 'Mongst rav'nous beasts, that vomit fire, I dwell, Whose tongues than keenest swords more fatal are, Whose teeth wound deeper than the pointed spear, 5 Do thou, O God, exalt thy glory high; Shew to th' astonifh'd earth thy majesty. 6 For me their villain-toils they now prepare, My poor afflicted soul they seek t' ensnare; For me they've made a pit--in vain they've made; To the same pit they are themselves betray'd. 7 Fix'd is my heart; my heart's resolv'd, O God, To spread thy praises and thy name abroad; 8 Awake, my lyre--my psaltery----my voice At early, dawn I'll in my God rejoice; 9 My song of thee the nations round shall hear; Struck with the theme, thy pow'r shall they revere; 10 For to yon trackless clouds, yon heav'ns above, Extend thy truth, thy clemency, thy love. 11 Do thou, O God, exalt thy glory high; Beam on the wond'ring world thy majesty. | New Version of the Psalms of David #LVII (1756) |