University of Virginia Library

PSALM CXLIII.

Thine ear, my God, propitious lend;
O ever just and true, extend
Thy pity, while to Thee I pray,
Nor scrutinize with strict survey
Thy servant's Acts; for who, O who,
Shall pure of guilt approach thy view?
Thou seest the Foe with furious strife
My soul pursue; to earth my life
He treads, and in the horrid gloom,
(As those who 'mid the silent tomb
Through ages sleep,) from human eye
Secluded far, has bid me lie.
I feel my vital strength depart,
And wild amazement fills my heart.
But, backward borne to periods past,
Thy Mercies, Lord, my thoughts have trac'd;
And in my breast recorded stand
The wonders of thy mighty hand.
Aloft my suppliant palms I spread;
Nor more the glebe, its moisture fled,
Longs the descending show'r to see,
Than thirsts my wearied soul for Thee.
O haste to hear me, haste to save;
Nor let me (lest the yawning grave
Enwrap me in its dreary reign,)
Thy chearing presence seek in vain
O let the hour that wakes the day
Thy Mercy to my ear convey.
While (for on Thee my hope depends;)
In fervent thought my mind ascends,
Expectant, tow'rd thy heav'nly Seat,
Train to the paths of Truth my feet.
To Thee, my refuge, Lord, I fly;
Do Thou the deaths that wait me nigh
Repell. My will to thine (for Thou,
Thou, art my God;) corrective bow,
And give me, by thy Spirit led,
Auspicious Guide, the Land to tread
Where Righteousness has fix'd her Throne;
Thy Mercy, long to Israel known,
True to thy Name, to Me impart,
And quicken with thy grace my heart.
O let thy Justice interpose,
My sorrows to relieve, my foes
To crush, and from their rage remove
A Soul devoted to thy Love.