Psalm CXLIII. Domine exaudi orationem meam, &c.
I
Great Saviour, to my mournfull Prayer give ear,
VII Penitential Psalm of David.
And of Thy Mercy pittie me!
O Thou, who see'st my troubles hear,
And as they need, so let Thy answer be!
I know Thou canst do this, and more,
For Thou hast done it heretofore!
II
Behold my troubles, Lord, but not my Sins!
For if Thou once shouldst be severe,
What heart quakes not, when God begins,
To judge, and sets up His Tribunal there?
What Flesh can in His sight be just,
Or to His breath expose its dust?
III
See how the Enemy my Soul persues,
And how no safety can be found,
Whilst he his daily wrongs renewes,
Unless I, with the dead, dwell under ground,
Unless a wretched life to save,
I enter quick into the grave.
IV
This grieves my heart, nor would it longer hold,
But that on Thee I meditate,
Remembring what Thou didst of old,
How Nothing was too hard, no time too late:
I think of what Thy hand has done,
And take Thy Arm to lean upon.
V
The thirsty earth, with drought consum'd, and heat,
Do's not more gape, and long for rain,
Than I whose thirst is full as great,
Am restless grown till I see Thee again;
Hear me my God, hear speedily!
The Earth Thou hear'st and why not me?
VI
No longer turn Thy glorious Face away!
Or if I must in darkness sit,
Let it be such, as brings the day,
And not eternall, like that in the pit!
At night, my God, give me Thine ear,
And in the morning let me hear!
VII
Let me Thy Mercies hear, for, Lord, on Thee
Alone for Mercie I rely;
Thy way be pleas'd to shew to me,
And give me wings that I to Heav'n may fly!
There I secure shall be at rest,
Nor of my Trust be dispossest.
VIII
Teach me to do Thy Will, for Thou art Mine;
And lead me to Thy Sacred land!
Ah, quicken me, for I am Thine,
And by Thy strength alone must firmly stand:
And would Thy Spirit but guide my Way,
I should not care, Lord, where it lay.
IX
Now for Thy Mercies sake, my troubles end,
For only Thou know'st what I bear!
Let on my Foes Thy wrath descend,
And Thine eye be like theirs, too fierce to spare!
Let them Thy Indignation know,
But to Thy Servant favour show!
