Tag: Songs of Christ

Tune by Lizzie Depriest

1    Lord, thee I’ll praise with all my heart,
          thy wonders all proclaim.
2    In thee, most High, I’ll greatly joy,
          and sing unto thy name.

3    When back my foes were turn’d, they fell,
          and perish’d at thy sight:
4    For thou maintain’dst my right and cause;
          on throne sat’st judging right.

5    The heathen thou rebuked hast,
          the wicked overthrown;
     Thou hast put out their names, that they
          may never more be known.

6    O en’my! now destructions have
          an end perpetual:
     Thou cities raz’d; perish’d with them
          is their memorial.

7    God shall endure for aye; he doth
          for judgment set his throne;
8    In righteousness to judge the world,
          justice to give each one.

9    God also will a refuge be
          for those that are oppress’d;
     A refuge will he be in times
          of trouble to distress’d.

10   And they that know thy name, in thee
          their confidence will place:
     For thou hast not forsaken them
          that truly seek thy face.

11   O sing ye praises to the Lord,
          that dwells in Sion hill;
     And all the nations among
          his deeds record ye still.

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12   When he enquireth after blood,

          he then rememb’reth them:

     The humble folk he not forgets

          that call upon his name.

13   Lord, pity me; behold the grief

          which I from foes sustain;

     Ev’n thou, who from the gates of death

          dost raise me up again;

14  That I, in Sion’s daughters’ gates,

          may all thy praise advance;

     And that I may rejoice always

          in thy deliverance.

15  The heathen are sunk in the pit

          which they themselves prepar’d;

     And in the net which they have hid

          their own feet fast are snar’d.

16  The Lord is by the judgment known

          which he himself hath wrought:

     The sinners’ hands do make the snares

          wherewith themselves are caught.

17  They who are wicked into hell

          each one shall turned be;

     And all the nations that forget

          to seek the Lord most high.

18 For they that needy are shall not

          forgotten be alway;

     The expectation of the poor

          shall not be lost for aye.

19 Arise, Lord, let not man prevail;

          judge heathen in thy sight:

20   That they may know themselves but men,

          the nations, Lord, affright.

1    O Lord my God, in thee do I

          my confidence repose:

     Save and deliver me from all

          my persecuting foes;

2    Lest that the enemy my soul

          should, like a lion, tear,

     In pieces rending it, while there

          is no deliverer.

3    O Lord my God, if it be so

          that I committed this;

     If it be so that in my hands

          iniquity there is:

4    If I rewarded ill to him

          that was at peace with me;

     (Yea, ev’n the man that without cause

          my foe was I did free;)

5    Then let the foe pursue and take

          my soul, and my life thrust

     Down to the earth, and let him lay

          mine honour in the dust.

6    Rise in thy wrath, Lord, raise thyself,

          for my foes raging be;

     And, to the judgment which thou hast

          commanded, wake for me.

7    So shall th’ assembly of thy folk

          about encompass thee:

     Thou, therefore, for their sakes, return

          unto thy place on high.

8    The Lord he shall the people judge:

          my judge, Jehovah, be,

     After my righteousness, and mine

          integrity in me.

9    O let the wicked’s malice end;

          but stablish stedfastly

     The righteous: for the righteous God

          the hearts and reins doth try.

10   In God, who saves th’ upright in heart,

          is my defence and stay.

11   God just men judgeth, God is wroth

          with ill men ev’ry day.

12   If he do not return again,

          then he his sword will whet;

     His bow he hath already bent,

          and hath it ready set:

13   He also hath for him prepar’d

          the instruments of death;

     Against the persecutors he

          his shafts ordained hath.

14   Behold, he with iniquity

          doth travail, as in birth;

     A mischief he conceived hath,

          and falsehood shall bring forth.

15   He made a pit and digg’d it deep,

          another there to take;

     But he is fall’n into the ditch

          which he himself did make.

16   Upon his own head his mischief

          shall be returned home;

     His vi’lent dealing also down

          on his own pate shall come.

17   According to his righteousness

          the Lord I’ll magnify;

     And will sing praise unto the name

          of God that is most high.

Verses 1-11. TUNE: Auld Lang Syne

1    O Lord, thy judgments give the king,
          his son thy righteousness.
2    With right he shall thy people judge,
          thy poor with uprightness.

3    The lofty mountains shall bring forth
          unto the people peace;
     Likewise the little hills the same
          shall do by righteousness.

4    The people’s poor ones he shall judge,
          the needy’s children save;
     And those shall he in pieces break
          who them oppressed have.

5    They shall thee fear, while sun and moon
          do last, through ages all.
6    Like rain on mown grass he shall drop,
          or show’rs on earth that fall.

7    The just shall flourish in his days,
          and prosper in his reign:
     He shall, while doth the moon endure,
          abundant peace maintain.

8    His large and great dominion shall
          from sea to sea extend:
     It from the river shall reach forth
          unto earth’s utmost end.

9    They in the wilderness that dwell
          bow down before him must;
     And they that are his enemies
          shall lick the very dust.

10   The kings of Tarshish, and the isles,
          to him shall presents bring;
     And unto him shall offer gifts
          Sheba’s and Seba’s king.

11   Yea, all the mighty kings on earth
          before him down shall fall;
     And all the nations of the world
          do service to him shall.

Verses 12-19. TUNE: Auld Lang Syne

12   For he the needy shall preserve,
          when he to him doth call;
     The poor also, and him that hath
          no help of man at all.

13   The poor man and the indigent
          in mercy he shall spare;
     He shall preserve alive the souls 
        of those that needy are.

14   Both from deceit and violence
          their soul he shall set free;
     And in his sight right precious
          and dear their blood shall be.

15   Yea, he shall live, and giv’n to him         
shall be of Sheba’s gold: 
    For him still shall they pray, and he
          shall daily be extoll’d.

16   Of corn an handful in the earth
          on tops of mountains high,
     With prosp’rous fruit shall shake, like trees
          on Lebanon that be.

     The city shall be flourishing,
          her citizens abound
     In number shall, like to the grass
          that grows upon the ground.

17   His name for ever shall endure;
          last like the sun it shall:
     Men shall be bless’d in him, and bless’d
          all nations shall him call.

18   Now blessed be the Lord our God,
          the God of Israel,
     For he alone doth wondrous works,
          in glory that excel.

19   And blessed be his glorious name
          to all eternity:
     The whole earth let his glory fill.
          Amen, so let it be.

1    Yet God is good to Israel,

          to each pure-hearted one.

2    But as for me, my steps near slipp’d,

          my feet were almost gone.

3    For I envious was, and grudg’d

          the foolish folk to see,

     When I perceiv’d the wicked sort

          enjoy prosperity.

4    For still their strength continueth firm;

          their death of bands is free.

5    They are not toil’d like other men,

          nor plagu’d, as others be.

6    Therefore their pride, like to a chain,

          them compasseth about;

     And, as a garment, violence

          doth cover them throughout.

7    Their eyes stand out with fat; they have

          more than their hearts could wish.

8    They are corrupt; their talk of wrong

          both lewd and lofty is.

9    They set their mouth against the heav’ns

          in their blasphemous talk;

     And their reproaching tongue throughout

          the earth at large doth walk.

10   His people oftentimes for this

          look back, and turn about;

     Sith waters of so full a cup

          to these are poured out.

11   And thus they say, How can it be

          that God these things doth know?

     Or, Can there in the Highest be

          knowledge of things below?

12   Behold, these are the wicked ones,

          yet prosper at their will

     In worldly things; they do increase

          in wealth and riches still.

13   I verily have done in vain

          my heart to purify;

     To no effect in innocence

          washed my hands have I.

14   For daily, and all day throughout,

          great plagues I suffer’d have;

     Yea, ev’ry morning I of new

          did chastisement receive.

15   If in this manner foolishly

          to speak I would intend,

     Thy children’s generation,

          behold, I should offend.

16   When I this thought to know, it was

          too hard a thing for me;

17   Till to God’s sanctuary I went,

          then I their end did see.

18   Assuredly thou didst them set

          a slipp’ry place upon;

     Them suddenly thou castedst down

          into destruction.

19   How in a moment suddenly

          to ruin brought are they!

     With fearful terrors utterly

          they are consum’d away.

20   Ev’n like unto a dream, when one

          from sleeping doth arise;

     So thou, O Lord, when thou awak’st,

          their image shalt despise.

21   Thus grieved was my heart in me,

          and me my reins opprest:

22   So rude was I, and ignorant,

          and in thy sight a beast.

23   Nevertheless continually,

          O Lord, I am with thee:

     Thou dost me hold by my right hand,

          and still upholdest me.

24   Thou, with thy counsel, while I live,

          wilt me conduct and guide;

     And to thy glory afterward

          receive me to abide.

25   Whom have I in the heavens high

          but thee, O Lord, alone?

     And in the earth whom I desire

          besides thee there is none.

26   My flesh and heart doth faint and fail,

          but God doth fail me never:

     For of my heart God is the strength

          and portion for ever.

27   For, lo, they that are far from thee

          for ever perish shall;

     Them that a whoring from thee go

          thou hast destroyed all.

28   But surely it is good for me

          that I draw near to God:

     In God I trust, that all thy works

          I may declare abroad.

1    Save me, O God, because the floods

          do so environ me,

     That ev’n unto my very soul

          come in the waters be.

2    I downward in deep mire do sink,

          where standing there is none:

     I am into deep waters come,

          where floods have o’er me gone.

3    I weary with my crying am,

          my throat is also dry’d;

     Mine eyes do fail, while for my God

          I waiting do abide.

4    Those men that do without a cause

          bear hatred unto me,

     Than are the hairs upon my head

          in number more they be:

     They that would me destroy, and are

          mine en’mies wrongfully,

     Are mighty: so what I took not,

          to render forc’d was I.

     They that would me destroy, and are

          mine en’mies wrongfully,

     Are mighty: so what I took not,

          to render forc’d was I.

5    Lord, thou my folly know’st, my sins

          not cover’d are from thee.

6    Let none that wait on thee be sham’d,

          Lord God of hosts, for me.

     O Lord, the God of Israel,

          let none, who search do make,

     And seek thee, be at any time

          confounded for my sake.

7    For I have borne reproach for thee,

          my face is hid with shame.

8    To brethren strange, to mother’s sons

          an alien I became.

9    Because the zeal did eat me up,

          which to thine house I bear;

     And the reproaches cast at thee,

          upon me fallen are.

10   My tears and fasts, t’ afflict my soul,

          were turned to my shame.

11   When sackcloth I did wear, to them

          a proverb I became.

12   The men that in the gate do sit

          against me evil spake;

     They also that vile drunkards were

          of me their song did make.

13   But, in an acceptable time,

          my pray’r, Lord, is to thee:

     In truth of thy salvation, Lord,

          and mercy great, hear me.

14   Deliver me out of the mire,

          from sinking do me keep;

     Free me from those that do me hate,

          and from the waters deep.

15   Let not the flood on me prevail,

          whose water overflows;

     Nor deep me swallow, nor the pit

          her mouth upon me close.

16   Hear me, O Lord, because thy love

          and kindness is most good;

     Turn unto me, according to

          thy mercies’ multitude.

17   Nor from thy servant hide thy face:

          I’m troubled, soon attend.

18   Draw near my soul, and it redeem;

          me from my foes defend.

19   To thee is my reproach well known,

          my shame, and my disgrace:

     Those that mine adversaries be

          are all before thy face.

20   Reproach hath broke my heart; I’m full

          of grief: I look’d for one

     To pity me, but none I found;

          comforters found I none.

21   They also bitter gall did give

          unto me for my meat:

     They gave me vinegar to drink,

          when as my thirst was great.

22   Before them let their table prove

          a snare; and do thou make

     Their welfare and prosperity

          a trap themselves to take.

23   Let thou their eyes so darken’d be,

          that sight may them forsake;

     And let their loins be made by thee

          continually to shake.

24   Thy fury pour thou out on them,

          and indignation;

     And let thy wrathful anger, Lord,

          fast hold take them upon.

25   All waste and desolate let be

          their habitation;

     And in their tabernacles all

          inhabitants be none.

26   Because him they do persecute,

          whom thou didst smite before;

     They talk unto the grief of those

          whom thou hast wounded sore.

27   Add thou iniquity unto

          their former wickedness;

     And do not let them come at all

          into thy righteousness.

28   Out of the book of life let them

          be raz’d and blotted quite;

     Among the just and righteous

          let not their names be writ.

29   But now become exceeding poor

          and sorrowful am I:

     By thy salvation, O my God,

          let me be set on high.

30   The name of God I with a song

          most cheerfully will praise;

     And I, in giving thanks to him,

          his name shall highly raise.

31   This to the Lord a sacrifice

          more gracious shall prove

     Than bullock, ox, or any beast

          that hath both horn and hoof.

32   When this the humble men shall see,

          it joy to them shall give:

     O all ye that do seek the Lord,

          your hearts shall ever live.

33   For God the poor hears, and will not

          his prisoners contemn.

34   Let heav’n, and earth, and seas, him praise,

          and all that move in them.

35   For God will Judah’s cities build,

          and he will Sion save,

     That they may dwell therein, and it

          in sure possession have.

36   And they that are his servants’ seed

          inherit shall the same;

     So shall they have their dwelling there

          that love his blessed name.

1     O Lord, how are my foes increas’d?

          against me many rise.

2     Many say of my soul, For him

          in God no succour lies.

3     Yet thou my shield and glory art,

          th’ uplifter of mine head.

4     I cry’d, and, from his holy hill,

          the Lord me answer made.

5     I laid me down and slept; I wak’d;

          for God sustained me.

6     I will not fear though thousands ten

          set round against me be.

7     Arise, O Lord; save me, my God;

          for thou my foes hast stroke

      All on the cheek-bone, and the teeth

          of wicked men hast broke.

8     Salvation doth appertain

          unto the Lord alone:

      Thy blessing, Lord, for evermore

          thy people is upon.

1    O Lord, my hope and confidence         
is plac’d in thee alone;
     Then let thy servant never be
          put to confusion.

2    And let me, in thy righteousness,
          from thee deliv’rance have;
     Cause me escape, incline thine ear
          unto me, and me save.

3    Be thou my dwelling-rock, to which
          I ever may resort:
     Thou gav’st commandment me to save,
          for thou’rt my rock and fort.

4    Free me, my God, from wicked hands,
          hands cruel and unjust:
5    For thou, O Lord God, art my hope,
          and from my youth my trust.

6    Thou from the womb didst hold me up;
          thou art the same that me
     Out of my mother’s bowels took;
          I ever will praise thee.

7    To many I a wonder am;
          but thou’rt my refuge strong.
8    Fill’d let my mouth be with thy praise
          and honour all day long.

9    O do not cast me off, when as
          old age doth overtake me;
     And when my strength decayed is,
          then do not thou forsake me.

10   For those that are mine enemies
          against me speak with hate;
     And they together counsel take
          that for my soul lay wait.

11   They said, God leaves him; him pursue
          and take: none will him save.
12   Be thou not far from me, my God:
          thy speedy help I crave.

13   Confound, consume them, that unto
          my soul are enemies:
     Cloth’d be they with reproach and shame
          that do my hurt devise.

14   But I with expectation
          will hope continually;
     And yet with praises more and more
          I will thee magnify.

15   Thy justice and salvation
          my mouth abroad shall show,
     Ev’n all the day; for I thereof
          the numbers do not know.

16   And I will constantly go on
          in strength of God the Lord;
     And thine own righteousness, ev’n thine
          alone, I will record.

17   For even from my youth, O God,
          by thee I have been taught;
     And hitherto I have declar’d
          the wonders thou hast wrought.

18   And now, Lord, leave me not, when I
          old and gray-headed grow:
     Till to this age thy strength and pow’r
          to all to come I show.

19   And thy most perfect righteousness
          O Lord, is very high,
     Who hast so great things done: O God,
          who is like unto thee?

20   Thou, Lord, who great adversities,
          and sore, to me didst show,
     Shalt quicken, and bring me again
          from depths of earth below.

21   My greatness and my pow’r thou wilt
          increase, and far extend:
     On ev’ry side against all grief
          thou wilt me comfort send.

22   Thee, ev’n thy truth, I’ll also praise,
          my God, with psaltery:
     Thou Holy One of Israel,
          with harp I’ll sing to thee.

23   My lips shall much rejoice in thee,
          when I thy praises sound;
     My soul, which thou redeemed hast,
          in joy shall much abound.

24    My tongue thy justice shall proclaim,
          continuing all day long;
     For they confounded are, and sham’d,
          that seek to do me wrong.

1    Give ear unto me when I call,

          God of my righteousness:

     Have mercy, hear my pray’r; thou hast

          enlarg’d me in distress.

2    O ye the sons of men! how long

          will ye love vanities?

     How long my glory turn to shame,

          and will ye follow lies?

3    But know, that for himself the Lord

          the godly man doth chuse:

     The Lord, when I on him do call,

          to hear will not refuse.

4    Fear, and sin not; talk with your heart

          on bed, and silent be.

5    Off ‘rings present of righteousness,

          and in the Lord trust ye.

6    O who will shew us any good?

          is that which many say:

     But of thy countenance the light,

          Lord, lift on us alway.

7    Upon my heart, bestow’d by thee,

          more gladness I have found

     Than they, ev’n then, when corn and wine

          did most with them abound.

8    I will both lay me down in peace,

          and quiet sleep will take;

     Because thou only me to dwell

          in safety, Lord, dost make.

1    All lands to God in joyful sounds,

          aloft your voices raise.

2    Sing forth the honour of his name,

          and glorious make his praise.

3    Say unto God, How terrible

          in all thy works art thou!

     Through thy great pow’r thy foes to thee

          shall be constrain’d to bow.

4    All on the earth shall worship thee,

          they shall thy praise proclaim

     In songs: they shall sing cheerfully

          unto thy holy name.

5    Come, and the works that God hath wrought

          with admiration see:

     In’s working to the sons of men

          most terrible is he.

6    Into dry land the sea he turn’d,

          and they a passage had;

     Ev’n marching through the flood on foot,

          there we in him were glad.

7    He ruleth ever by his pow’r;

          his eyes the nations see:

     O let not the rebellious ones

          lift up themselves on high.

8    Ye people, bless our God; aloud

          the voice speak of his praise:

9    Our soul in life who safe preserves,

          our foot from sliding stays.

10   For thou didst prove and try us, Lord,

          as men do silver try;

11   Brought’st us into the net, and mad’st

          bands on our loins to lie.

12   Thou hast caus’d men ride o’er our heads;

          and though that we did pass

     Through fire and water, yet thou brought’st

          us to a wealthy place.

13   I’ll bring burnt off ‘rings to thy house;

          to thee my vows I’ll pay,

14   Which my lips utter’d, my mouth spake,

          when trouble on me lay.

15   Burnt-sacrifices of fat rams

          with incense I will bring;

     Of bullocks and of goats I will

          present an offering.

16   All that fear God, come, hear, I’ll tell

          what he did for my soul.

17   I with my mouth unto him cry’d,

          my tongue did him extol.

18   If in my heart I sin regard,

          the Lord me will not hear:

19   But surely God me heard, and to

          my prayer’s voice gave ear.

20   O let the Lord, our gracious God,

          for ever blessed be,

     Who turned not my pray’r from him,

          nor yet his grace from me.

First Version (S.M.)

1    Lord, haste me to deliver;
          with speed, Lord, succour me.
2    Let them that for my soul do seek
          sham’d and confounded be:

     Turn’d back be they, and sham’d,
          that in my hurt delight.
3    Turn’d back be they, Ha, ha! that say,
          their shaming to requite.

4    In thee let all be glad,
          and joy that seek for thee:
     Let them who thy salvation love
          say still, God praised be.

5    I poor and needy am;
          come, Lord, and make no stay:
     My help thou and deliv’rer art;
          O Lord, make no delay.

Second Version (C.M.)

1    Make haste, O God, me to preserve;
          with speed, Lord, succour me.
2    Let them that for my soul do seek
          sham’d and confounded be:

     Let them be turned back, and sham’d,
          that in my hurt delight.
3    Turn’d back be they, Ha, ha! that say,
          their shaming to requite.

4    O Lord, in thee let all be glad,
          and joy that seek for thee:
     Let them who thy salvation love
          say still, God praised be.

5    But I both poor and needy am;
          come, Lord, and make no stay:
     My help thou and deliv’rer art;
          O Lord, make no delay.