Category: Songs of Christ

1    Be merciful to me, O God;

          thy mercy unto me

     Do thou extend; because my soul

          doth put her trust in thee:

     Yea, in the shadow of thy wings

          my refuge I will place,

     Until these sad calamities

          do wholly overpass.

2    My cry I will cause to ascend

          unto the Lord most high;

     To God, who doth all things for me

          perform most perfectly.

3    From heav’n he shall send down, and me

          from his reproach defend

     That would devour me: God his truth

          and mercy forth shall send.

4    My soul among fierce lions is,

          I firebrands live among,

     Men’s sons, whose teeth are spears and darts,

          a sharp sword is their tongue.

5    Be thou exalted very high

          above the heav’ns, O God;

     Let thou thy glory be advanc’d

          o’er all the earth abroad.

6    My soul’s bow’d down; for they a net

          have laid, my steps to snare:

     Into the pit which they have digg’d

          for me, they fallen are.

7    My heart is fix’d, my heart is fix’d,

          O God; I’ll sing and praise.

8    My glory wake; wake psalt’ry, harp;

          myself I’ll early raise.

9    I’ll praise thee ‘mong the people, Lord;

          ‘mong nations sing will I:

10   For great to heav’n thy mercy is,

          thy truth is to the sky.

11   O Lord, exalted be thy name

          above the heav’ns to stand:

     Do thou thy glory far advance

          above both sea and land.

1    O God, we with our ears have heard,

          our fathers have us told,

     What works thou in their days hadst done,

          ev’n in the days of old.

2    Thy hand did drive the heathen out,

          and plant them in their place;

     Thou didst afflict the nations,

          but them thou didst increase.

3    For neither got their sword the land,

          nor did their arm them save;

     But thy right hand, arm, countenance;

          for thou them favour gave.

4    Thou art my King: for Jacob, Lord,

          deliv’rances command.

5    Through thee we shall push down our foes,

          that do against us stand:

     We, through thy name, shall tread down those

          that ris’n against us have.

6    For in my bow I shall not trust,

          nor shall my sword me save.

7    But from our foes thou hast us sav’d,

          our haters put to shame.

8    In God we all the day do boast,

          and ever praise thy name.

9    But now we are cast off by thee,

          and us thou putt’st to shame;

     And when our armies do go forth,

          thou go’st not with the same.

10   Thou mak’st us from the enemy,

          faint-hearted, to turn back;

     And they who hate us for themselves

          our spoils away do take.

11   Like sheep for meat thou gavest us;

          ‘mong heathen cast we be.

12   Thou didst for nought thy people sell;

          their price enrich’d not thee.

13   Thou mak’st us a reproach to be

          unto our neighbours near;

     Derision and a scorn to them

          that round about us are.

14   A by-word also thou dost us

          among the heathen make;

     The people, in contempt and spite,

          at us their heads do shake.

15   Before me my confusion

          continually abides;

     And of my bashful countenance

          the shame me ever hides:

16   For voice of him that doth reproach,

          and speaketh blasphemy;

     By reason of th’ avenging foe,

          and cruel enemy.

17   All this is come on us, yet we

          have not forgotten thee;

     Nor falsely in thy covenant

          behav’d ourselves have we.

18   Back from thy way our heart not turn’d;

          our steps no straying made;

19   Though us thou brak’st in dragons’ place,

          and cover’dst with death’s shade.

20   If we God’s name forgot, or stretch’d

          to a strange god our hands,

21   Shall not God search this out? for he

          heart’s secrets understands.

22   Yea, for thy sake we’re kill’d all day,

          counted as slaughter-sheep.

23   Rise, Lord, cast us not ever off;

          awake, why dost thou sleep?

24    O wherefore hidest thou thy face?

          forgett’st our cause distress’d,

25    And our oppression? For our soul

          is to the dust down press’d:

     Our belly also on the earth

          fast cleaving, hold doth take.

26    Rise for our help, and us redeem,

          ev’n for thy mercies’ sake.

1    Lord, hear my pray’r, hide not thyself

          from my entreating voice:

2    Attend and hear me; in my plaint

          I mourn and make a noise.

3    Because of th’ en’my’s voice, and for

          lewd men’s oppression great:

     On me they cast iniquity,

          and they in wrath me hate.

4    Sore pain’d within me is my heart:

          death’s terrors on me fall.

5    On me comes trembling, fear and dread

          o’erwhelmed me withal.

6    O that I, like a dove, had wings,

          said I, then would I flee

     Far hence, that I might find a place

          where I in rest might be.

7    Lo, then far off I wander would,

          and in the desert stay;

8    From windy storm and tempest I

          would haste to ‘scape away.

9    O Lord, on them destruction bring,

          and do their tongues divide;

     For in the city violence

          and strife I have espy’d.

10   They day and night upon the walls

          do go about it round:

     There mischief is, and sorrow there

          in midst of it is found.

11   Abundant wickedness there is

          within her inward part;

     And from her streets deceitfulness

          and guile do not depart.

12   He was no foe that me reproach’d,

          then that endure I could;

     Nor hater that did ‘gainst me boast,

          from him me hide I would.

13   But thou, man, who mine equal, guide,

          and mine acquaintance wast:

14   We join’d sweet counsels, to God’s house

          in company we past.

15   Let death upon them seize, and down

          let them go quick to hell;

     For wickedness doth much abound

          among them where they dwell.

16   I’ll call on God: God will me save.

17        I’ll pray, and make a noise

     At ev’ning, morning, and at noon;

          and he shall hear my voice.

18   He hath my soul delivered,

          that it in peace might be

     From battle that against me was;

          for many were with me.

19   The Lord shall hear, and them afflict,

          of old who hath abode:

     Because they never changes have,

          therefore they fear not God.

20  ‘Gainst those that were at peace with him

          he hath put forth his hand:

     The covenant that he had made,

          by breaking he profan’d.

21   More smooth than butter were his words,

          while in his heart was war;

     His speeches were more soft than oil,

          and yet drawn swords they are.

22   Cast thou thy burden on the Lord,

          and he shall thee sustain;

     Yea, he shall cause the righteous man

          unmoved to remain.

23   But thou, O Lord my God, those men

          in justice shalt o’erthrow,

     And in destruction’s dungeon dark

          at last shalt lay them low:

     The bloody and deceitful men

          shall not live half their days:

     But upon thee with confidence

          I will depend always.

1    Blessed is he that wisely doth

          the poor man’s case consider;

     For when the time of trouble is,

          the Lord will him deliver.

2    God will him keep, yea, save alive;

          on earth he bless’d shall live;

     And to his enemies’ desire

          thou wilt him not up give.

3    God will give strength when he on bed

          of languishing doth mourn;

     And in his sickness sore, O Lord,

          thou all his bed wilt turn.

4    I said, O Lord, do thou extend

          thy mercy unto me;

     O do thou heal my soul; for why?

          I have offended thee.

5    Those that to me are enemies,

          of me do evil say,

     When shall he die, that so his name

          may perish quite away?

6    To see me if he comes, he speaks

          vain words: but then his heart

     Heaps mischief to it, which he tells,

          when forth he doth depart.

7    My haters jointly whispering,

          ‘gainst me my hurt devise.

8    Mischief, say they, cleaves fast to him;

          he li’th, and shall not rise.

9    Yea, ev’n mine own familiar friend,

          on whom I did rely,

     Who ate my bread, ev’n he his heel

          against me lifted high.

10   But, Lord, be merciful to me,

          and up again me raise,

     That I may justly them requite

          according to their ways.

11   By this I know that certainly

          I favour’d am by thee;

     Because my hateful enemy

          triumphs not over me.

12   But as for me, thou me uphold’st

          in mine integrity;

     And me before thy countenance

          thou sett’st continually.

13   The Lord, the God of Israel,

          be bless’d for ever then,

     From age to age eternally.

          Amen, yea, and amen.

1    Save me, O God, by thy great name,

          and judge me by thy strength:

2    My prayer hear, O God; give ear

           unto my words at length.

3    For they that strangers are to me

          do up against me rise;

     Oppressors seek my soul, and God

          set not before their eyes.

4    The Lord my God my helper is,

          lo, therefore I am bold:

     He taketh part with ev’ry one

          that doth my soul uphold.

5    Unto mine enemies he shall

          mischief and ill repay:

     O for thy truth’s sake cut them off,

          and sweep them clean away.

6    I will a sacrifice to thee

          give with free willingness;

     Thy name, O Lord, because ’tis good,

          with praise I will confess.

7    For he hath me delivered

          from all adversities;

     And his desire mine eye hath seen

          upon mine enemies.

1    Why dost thou boast, O mighty man,

          of mischief and of ill?

     The goodness of Almighty God

          endureth ever still.

2    Thy tongue mischievous calumnies

          deviseth subtilely,

     Like to a razor sharp to cut,

          working deceitfully.

3    Ill more than good, and more than truth

          thou lovest to speak wrong:

4    Thou lovest all-devouring words,

          O thou deceitful tongue.

5    So God shall thee destroy for aye,

          remove thee, pluck thee out

     Quite from thy house, out of the land

          of life he shall thee root.

6    The righteous shall it see, and fear,

          and laugh at him they shall:

7    Lo, this the man is that did not

          make God his strength at all:

     But he in his abundant wealth

          his confidence did place;

     And he took strength unto himself

          from his own wickedness.

8    But I am in the house of God

          like to an olive green:

     My confidence for ever hath

          upon God’s mercy been.

9    And I for ever will thee praise,

          because thou hast done this:

     I on thy name will wait; for good

          before thy saints it is.

1    After thy loving-kindness, Lord,
          have mercy upon me:
     For thy compassions great, blot out
          all mine iniquity.

2    Me cleanse from sin, and throughly wash
          from mine iniquity:
3    For my transgressions I confess;
          my sin I ever see.

4   ‘Gainst thee, thee only, have I sinn’d,
          in thy sight done this ill;
     That when thou speak’st thou may’st be just,
          and clear in judging still.

5    Behold, I in iniquity
          was form’d the womb within;
     My mother also me conceiv’d
          in guiltiness and sin.

6    Behold, thou in the inward parts
          with truth delighted art;
     And wisdom thou shalt make me know
          within the hidden part.

7    Do thou with hyssop sprinkle me,
          I shall be cleansed so;
     Yea, wash thou me, and then I shall
          be whiter than the snow.

8    Of gladness and of joyfulness
          make me to hear the voice;
     That so these very bones which thou
          hast broken may rejoice.

9    All mine iniquities blot out,
          thy face hide from my sin.
10   Create a clean heart, Lord, renew
          a right sp’rit me within.

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11   Cast me not from thy sight, nor take

          thy Holy Sp’rit away.

12   Restore me thy salvation’s joy;

          with thy free Sp’rit me stay.

13   Then will I teach thy ways unto

          those that transgressors be;

     And those that sinners are shall then

          be turned unto thee.

14   O God, of my salvation God,

          me from blood-guiltiness

     Set free; then shall my tongue aloud

          sing of thy righteousness.

15   My closed lips, O Lord, by thee

          let them be opened;

     Then shall thy praises by my mouth

          abroad be published.

16   For thou desir’st not sacrifice,

          else would I give it thee;

     Nor wilt thou with burnt-offering

          at all delighted be.

17   A broken spirit is to God

          a pleasing sacrifice:

     A broken and a contrite heart,

          Lord, thou wilt not despise.

18   Shew kindness, and do good, O Lord,

          to Sion, thine own hill:

     The walls of thy Jerusalem

          build up of thy good will.

19   Then righteous off ‘rings shall thee please,

          and off ‘rings burnt, which they

     With whole burnt-off ‘rings, and with calves,

          shall on thine altar lay.

1    Hear this, all people, and give ear,

          all in the world that dwell;

2    Both low and high, both rich and poor.

3         My mouth shall wisdom tell:

     My heart shall knowledge meditate.

4         I will incline mine ear

     To parables, and on the harp

          my sayings dark declare.

5    Amidst those days that evil be,

          why should I, fearing, doubt?

     When of my heels th’ iniquity

          shall compass me about.

6    Whoe’er they be that in their wealth

          their confidence do pitch,

     And boast themselves, because they are

          become exceeding rich:

7    Yet none of these his brother can

          redeem by any way;

     Nor can he unto God for him

          sufficient ransom pay,

8    (Their soul’s redemption precious is,

          and it can never be,)

9    That still he should for ever live,

          and not corruption see.

10   For why? he seeth that wise men die,

          and brutish fools also

     Do perish; and their wealth, when dead,

          to others they let go.

11   Their inward thought is, that their house

          and dwelling-places shall

     Stand through all ages; they their lands

          by their own names do call.

12   But yet in honour shall not man

          abide continually;

     But passing hence, may be compar’d

          unto the beasts that die.

13   Thus brutish folly plainly is

          their wisdom and their way;

     Yet their posterity approve

          what they do fondly say.

14   Like sheep they in the grave are laid,

          and death shall them devour;

     And in the morning upright men

          shall over them have pow’r:

     Their beauty from their dwelling shall

          consume within the grave.

15   But from hell’s hand God will me free,

          for he shall me receive.

16   Be thou not then afraid when one

          enriched thou dost see,

     Nor when the glory of his house

          advanced is on high:

17   For he shall carry nothing hence

          when death his days doth end;

     Nor shall his glory after him

          into the grave descend.

18   Although he his own soul did bless

          whilst he on earth did live;

     (And when thou to thyself dost well,

          men will thee praises give;)

19   He to his fathers’ race shall go,

          they never shall see light.

20   Man honour’d wanting knowledge is

          like beasts that perish quite.

1    Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place
          in generations all.
2    Before thou ever hadst brought forth
          the mountains great or small;

     Ere ever thou hadst form’d the earth,
          and all the world abroad;
     Ev’n thou from everlasting art
          to everlasting God.

3    Thou dost unto destruction
          man that is mortal turn;
     And unto them thou say’st, Again,
          ye sons of men, return.

4    Because a thousand years appear
          no more before thy sight
     Than yesterday, when it is past,
          or than a watch by night.

5    As with an overflowing flood
          thou carry’st them away:
     They like a sleep are, like the grass
          that grows at morn are they.

6    At morn it flourishes and grows,
          cut down at ev’n doth fade.
7    For by thine anger we’re consum’d,
          thy wrath makes us afraid.

8    Our sins thou and iniquities
          dost in thy presence place,
     And sett’st our secret faults before
          the brightness of thy face.

9    For in thine anger all our days
          do pass on to an end;
     And as a tale that hath been told,
          so we our years do spend.

10   Threescore and ten years do sum up
          our days and years, we see;
     Or, if, by reason of more strength,
          in some fourscore they be:

     Yet doth the strength of such old men
          but grief and labour prove;
     For it is soon cut off, and we
          fly hence, and soon remove.

Verses 11-17 to the tune of To Us A Child of Hope Is Born

11   Who knows the power of thy wrath?
          according to thy fear
12   So is thy wrath: Lord, teach thou us
          our end in mind to bear;

     And so to count our days, that we
          our hearts may still apply
     To learn thy wisdom and thy truth,
          that we may live thereby.

13   Turn yet again to us, O Lord,
          how long thus shall it be?
     Let it repent thee now for those
          that servants are to thee.

14   O with thy tender mercies, Lord,
          us early satisfy;
     So we rejoice shall all our days,
          and still be glad in thee.

15   According as the days have been,
          wherein we grief have had,
     And years wherein we ill have seen,
          so do thou make us glad.

16   O let thy work and pow’r appear
          thy servants’ face before;
     And shew unto their children dear
          thy glory evermore:

17   And let the beauty of the Lord
          our God be us upon:
     Our handy-works establish thou,
          establish them each one.