Tag: Songs of Christ

1    Plead, Lord, with those that plead; and fight

          with those that fight with me.

2    Of shield and buckler take thou hold,

          stand up mine help to be.

3    Draw also out the spear, and do

          against them stop the way

     That me pursue: unto my soul,

          I’m thy salvation, say.

4    Let them confounded be and sham’d

          that for my soul have sought:

     Who plot my hurt turn’d back be they,

          and to confusion brought.

5    Let them be like unto the chaff

          that flies before the wind;

     And let the angel of the Lord

          pursue them hard behind.

6    With darkness cover thou their way,

          and let it slipp’ry prove;

     And let the angel of the Lord

          pursue them from above.

7    For without cause have they for me

          their net hid in a pit,

     They also have without a cause

          for my soul digged it.

8    Let ruin seize him unawares;

          his net he hid withal

     Himself let catch; and in the same

          destruction let him fall.

9    My soul in God shall joy; and glad

          in his salvation be:

10   And all my bones shall say, O Lord,

          who is like unto thee,

     Which dost the poor set free from him

          that is for him too strong;

     The poor and needy from the man

          that spoils and does him wrong?

11   False witnesses rose; to my charge

          things I not knew they laid.

12   They, to the spoiling of my soul,

          me ill for good repaid.

13   But as for me, when they were sick,

          in sackcloth sad I mourn’d:

     My humbled soul did fast, my pray’r

          into my bosom turn’d.

14   Myself I did behave as he

          had been my friend or brother;

     I heavily bow’d down, as one

          that mourneth for his mother.

15   But in my trouble they rejoic’d,

          gath’ring themselves together;

     Yea, abjects vile together did

          themselves against me gather:

     I knew it not; they did me tear,

          and quiet would not be.

16   With mocking hypocrites, at feasts

          they gnash’d their teeth at me.

17   How long, Lord, look’st thou on? from those

          destructions they intend

     Rescue my soul, from lions young

          my darling do defend.

18   I will give thanks to thee, O Lord,

          within th’ assembly great;

     And where much people gather’d are

          thy praises forth will set.

19   Let not my wrongful enemies

          proudly rejoice o’er me;

     Nor who me hate without a cause,

          let them wink with the eye.

20   For peace they do not speak at all;

          but crafty plots prepare

     Against all those within the land

          that meek and quiet are.

21   With mouths set wide, they ‘gainst me said,

          Ha, ha! our eye doth see.

22   Lord, thou hast seen, hold not thy peace;

          Lord, be not far from me.

23   Stir up thyself; wake, that thou may’st

          judgment to me afford,

     Ev’n to my cause, O thou that art

          my only God and Lord.

24   O Lord my God, do thou me judge

          after thy righteousness;

     And let them not their joy ‘gainst me

          triumphantly express:

25   Nor let them say within their hearts,

          Ah, we would have it thus;

     Nor suffer them to say, that he

          is swallow’d up by us.

26   Sham’d and confounded be they all

          that at my hurt are glad;

     Let those against me that do boast

          with shame and scorn be clad.

27   Let them that love my righteous cause

          be glad, shout, and not cease

     To say, The Lord be magnify’d,

          who loves his servant’s peace.

28   Thy righteousness shall also be

          declared by my tongue;

     The praises that belong to thee

          speak shall it all day long.

1    The wicked man’s transgression

          within my heart thus says,

     Undoubtedly the fear of God

          is not before his eyes.

2    Because himself he flattereth

          in his own blinded eye,

     Until the hatefulness be found

          of his iniquity.

3    Words from his mouth proceeding are,

          fraud and iniquity:

     He to be wise, and to do good,

          hath left off utterly.

4    He mischief, lying on his bed,

          most cunningly doth plot:

     He sets himself in ways not good,

          ill he abhorreth not.

5    Thy mercy, Lord, is in the heav’ns;

          thy truth doth reach the clouds:

6    Thy justice is like mountains great;

          thy judgments deep as floods:

     Lord, thou preservest man and beast.

7         How precious is thy grace!

     Therefore in shadow of thy wings

          men’s sons their trust shall place.

8    They with the fatness of thy house

          shall be well satisfy’d;

     From rivers of thy pleasures thou

          wilt drink to them provide.

9    Because of life the fountain pure

          remains alone with thee;

     And in that purest light of thine

          we clearly light shall see.

10   Thy loving-kindness unto them

          continue that thee know;

     And still on men upright in heart

          thy righteousness bestow.

11   Let not the foot of cruel pride

          come, and against me stand;

     And let me not removed be,

          Lord, by the wicked’s hand.

12   There fallen are they, and ruined,

          that work iniquities:

     Cast down they are, and never shall

          be able to arise.

1    Judge me, O Lord, for I have walk’d

          in mine integrity:

     I trusted also in the Lord;

          slide therefore shall not I.

2    Examine me, and do me prove;

          try heart and reins, O God:

3    For thy love is before mine eyes,

          thy truth’s paths I have trode.

4    With persons vain I have not sat,

          nor with dissemblers gone:

5    Th’ assembly of ill men I hate;

          to sit with such I shun.

6    Mine hands in innocence, O Lord,

          I’ll wash and purify;

     So to thine holy altar go,

          and compass it will I:

7    That I, with voice of thanksgiving,

          may publish and declare,

     And tell of all thy mighty works,

          that great and wondrous are.

8    The habitation of thy house,

          Lord, I have loved well;

     Yea, in that place I do delight

          where doth thine honour dwell.

9    With sinners gather not my soul,

          and such as blood would spill:

10   Whose hands mischievous plots, right hand

          corrupting bribes do fill.

11   But as for me, I will walk on

          in mine integrity:

     Do thou redeem me, and, O Lord,

          be merciful to me.

12   My foot upon an even place

          doth stand with stedfastness:

     Within the congregations

          th’ Eternal I will bless.

First Version (S.M.)

1    To thee I lift my soul:

2          O Lord, I trust in thee:

     My God, let me not be asham’d,

          nor foes triumph o’er me.

3    Let none that wait on thee

          be put to shame at all;

     But those that without cause transgress,

          let shame upon them fall.

4    Shew me thy ways, O Lord;

          thy paths, O teach thou me:

5    And do thou lead me in thy truth,

          therein my teacher be:

     For thou art God that dost

          to me salvation send,

     And I upon thee all the day

          expecting do attend.

6    Thy tender mercies, Lord,

          I pray thee to remember,

     And loving-kindnesses; for they

          have been of old for ever.

7    My sins and faults of youth

          do thou, O Lord, forget:

     After thy mercy think on me,

          and for thy goodness great.

8    God good and upright is:

          the way he’ll sinners show.

9    The meek in judgment he will guide,

          and make his path to know.

10   The whole paths of the Lord

          are truth and mercy sure,

     To those that do his cov’nant keep,

          and testimonies pure.

11   Now, for thine own name’s sake,

          O Lord, I thee entreat

     To pardon mine iniquity;

          for it is very great.

12   What man is he that fears

          the Lord, and doth him serve?

     Him shall he teach the way that he

          shall choose, and still observe.

13   His soul shall dwell at ease;

          and his posterity

     Shall flourish still, and of the earth

          inheritors shall be.

14   With those that fear him is

          the secret of the Lord;

     The knowledge of his covenant

          he will to them afford.

15   Mine eyes upon the Lord

          continually are set:

     For he it is that shall bring forth

          my feet out of the net.

16   Turn unto me thy face,

          and to me mercy show;

     Because that I am desolate,

          and am brought very low.

17   My heart’s griefs are increas’d:

          me from distress relieve.

18   See mine affliction and my pain,

          and all my sins forgive.

19   Consider thou my foes,

          because they many are;

     And it a cruel hatred is

          which they against me bear.

20   O do thou keep my soul,

          do thou deliver me:

     And let me never be asham’d,

          because I trust in thee.

21   Let uprightness and truth

          keep me, who thee attend.

22   Redemption, Lord, to Israel

          from all his troubles send.

Second Version (C.M.)

1    To thee I lift my soul, O Lord:

2          My God, I trust in thee:

     Let me not be asham’d; let not

          my foes triumph o’er me.

3    Yea, let thou none ashamed be

          that do on thee attend:

     Ashamed let them be, O Lord,

          who without cause offend.

4    Thy ways, Lord, shew; teach me thy paths:

5         Lead me in truth, teach me:

     For of my safety thou art God;

          all day I wait on thee.

6    Thy mercies, that most tender are,

          do thou, O Lord, remember,

     And loving-kindnesses; for they

          have been of old for ever.

7    Let not the errors of my youth,

          nor sins, remember’d be:

     In mercy, for thy goodness’ sake,

           O Lord, remember me.

8    The Lord is good and gracious,

          he upright is also:

     He therefore sinners will instruct

          in ways that they should go.

9    The meek and lowly he will guide

          in judgment just alway:

     To meek and poor afflicted ones

          he’ll clearly teach his way.

10   The whole paths of the Lord our God

          are truth and mercy sure,

     To such as keep his covenant,

          and testimonies pure.

11   Now, for thine own name’s sake, O Lord,

          I humbly thee entreat

     To pardon mine iniquity;

          for it is very great.

12   What man fears God? him shall he teach

          the way that he shall chuse.

13   His soul shall dwell at ease; his seed

          the earth, as heirs, shall use.

14   The secret of the Lord is with

          such as do fear his name;

     And he his holy covenant

          will manifest to them.

15   Towards the Lord my waiting eyes

          continually are set;

     For he it is that shall bring forth

          my feet out of the net.

16   O turn thee unto me, O God,

          have mercy me upon;

     Because I solitary am,

          and in affliction.

17   Enlarg’d the griefs are of mine heart;

          me from distress relieve.

18   See mine affliction and my pain,

          and all my sins forgive.

19   Consider thou mine enemies,

          because they many are;

     And it a cruel hatred is

          which they against me bear.

20   O do thou keep my soul; O God,

          do thou deliver me:

     Let me not be asham’d; for I

          do put my trust in thee.

21   O let integrity and truth

          keep me, who thee attend.

22   Redemption, Lord, to Israel

          from all his troubles send.

1    The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want.
2          He makes me down to lie
     In pastures green: he leadeth me
          the quiet waters by.

3    My soul he doth restore again;
          and me to walk doth make
     Within the paths of righteousness,
          ev’n for his own name’s sake.

4    Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
          yet will I fear none ill:
     For thou art with me; and thy rod
          and staff me comfort still.

5    My table thou hast furnished
          in presence of my foes;
     My head thou dost with oil anoint,
          and my cup overflows.

6    Goodness and mercy all my life
          shall surely follow me:
     And in God’s house for evermore
          my dwelling-place shall be.

1    My God, my God, why hast thou me
          forsaken? why so far
     Art thou from helping me, and from
          my words that roaring are?

2    All day, my God, to thee I cry,
          yet am not heard by thee;
     And in the season of the night
          I cannot silent be.

3    But thou art holy, thou that dost
          inhabit Isr’el’s praise.
4    Our fathers hop’d in thee, they hop’d
          and thou didst them release.

5    When unto thee they sent their cry,
          to them deliv’rance came:
     Because they put their trust in thee,
          they were not put to shame.

6    But as for me, a worm I am,
          and as no man am priz’d:
     Reproach of men I am, and by
          the people am despis’d.

7    All that me see laugh me to scorn;
          shoot out the lip do they;
     They nod and shake their heads at me,
          and, mocking, thus do say,

8    This man did trust in God, that he
          would free him by his might:
     Let him deliver him, sith he
          had in him such delight.

9    But thou art he out of the womb
          that didst me safely take;
     When I was on my mother’s breasts
          thou me to hope didst make.

10   And I was cast upon thy care,
          ev’n from the womb till now;
     And from my mother’s belly, Lord,
          my God and guide art thou.

11   Be not far off, for grief is near,
          and none to help is found.
12   Bulls many compass me, strong bulls
          of Bashan me surround.

13   Their mouths they open’d wide on me,
          upon me gape did they,
     Like to a lion ravening
          and roaring for his prey.

14   Like water I’m pour’d out, my bones
          all out of joint do part:
     Amidst my bowels, as the wax,
          so melted is my heart.

15   My strength is like a potsherd dry’d;
          my tongue it cleaveth fast
     Unto my jaws; and to the dust
          of death thou brought me hast.

16   For dogs have compass’d me about:
          the wicked, that did meet
     In their assembly, me inclos’d;
          they pierc’d my hands and feet.

17   I all my bones may tell; they do
          upon me look and stare.
18   Upon my vesture lots they cast,
          and clothes among them share.

19   But be not far, O Lord, my strength;
          haste to give help to me.
20   From sword my soul, from pow’r of dogs
          my darling set thou free.

21   Out of the roaring lion’s mouth
          do thou me shield and save:
     For from the horns of unicorns
          an ear to me thou gave.

22   I will shew forth thy name unto
          those that my brethren are;
     Amidst the congregation
          thy praise I will declare.

23   Praise ye the Lord, who do him fear;
          him glorify all ye
     The seed of Jacob: fear him all
          that Isr’el’s children be.

24   For he despis’d not nor abhorr’d
          th’ afflicted’s misery;
     Nor from him hid his face, but heard
          when he to him did cry.

25   Within the congregation great
          my praise shall be of thee;
     My vows before them that him fear
          shall be perform’d by me.

26   The meek shall eat, and shall be fill’d;
          they also praise shall give
     Unto the Lord that do him seek:
          your heart shall ever live.

27   All ends of th’ earth remember shall,
          and turn the Lord unto;
     All kindreds of the nations
          to him shall homage do:

28   Because the kingdom to the Lord
          doth appertain as his;
     Likewise among the nations
          the Governor he is.

29   Earth’s fat ones eat, and worship shall:
          all who to dust descend
     Shall bow to him; none of them can
          his soul from death defend.

30   A seed shall service do to him
          unto the Lord it shall
     Be for a generation
          reckon’d in ages all.

31   They shall come, and they shall declare
          his truth and righteousness
     Unto a people yet unborn,
          and that he hath done this.

1    Jehovah hear thee in the day

          when trouble he doth send:

     And let the name of Jacob’s God

          thee from all ill defend.

2    O let him help send from above,

          out of his sanctuary:

     From Sion, his own holy hill,

          let him give strength to thee.

3    Let him remember all thy gifts,

          accept thy sacrifice:

4    Grant thee thine heart’s wish, and fulfil

          thy thoughts and counsel wise.

5    In thy salvation we will joy;

          in our God’s name we will

     Display our banners: and the Lord

          thy prayers all fulfil.

6    Now know I God his king doth save:

          he from his holy heav’n

     Will hear him, with the saving strength

          by his own right hand giv’n.

7    In chariots some put confidence,

          some horses trust upon:

     But we remember will the name

          of our Lord God alone.

8    We rise, and upright stand, when they

          are bowed down, and fall.

9    Deliver, Lord; and let the King

          us hear, when we do call.

TUNE: There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood

1    Ye righteous, in the Lord rejoice;
          it comely is and right,
     That upright men, with thankful voice,
          should praise the Lord of might.

2    Praise God with harp, and unto him
          sing with the psaltery;
     Upon a ten-string’d instrument
          make ye sweet melody.

3    A new song to him sing, and play
          with loud noise skilfully;
4    For right is God’s word, all his works
          are done in verity.

5    To judgment and to righteousness
          a love he beareth still;
     The loving-kindness of the Lord
          the earth throughout doth fill.

6    The heavens by the word of God
          did their beginning take;
     And by the breathing of his mouth
          he all their hosts did make.

7    The waters of the seas he brings
          together as an heap;
     And in storehouses, as it were,
          he layeth up the deep.

8    Let earth, and all that live therein,
          with rev’rence fear the Lord;
     Let all the world’s inhabitants
          dread him with one accord.

9    For he did speak the word, and done
          it was without delay;
     Established it firmly stood,
          whatever he did say.

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10   God doth the counsel bring to nought

          which heathen folk do take;

     And what the people do devise

          of none effect doth make.

11   O but the counsel of the Lord

          doth stand for ever sure;

     And of his heart the purposes

          from age to age endure.

12   That nation blessed is, whose God

          Jehovah is, and those

     A blessed people are, whom for

          his heritage he chose.

13   The Lord from heav’n sees and beholds

          all sons of men full well:

14   He views all from his dwelling-place

          that in the earth do dwell.

15   He forms their hearts alike, and all

          their doings he observes.

16   Great hosts save not a king, much strength

          no mighty man preserves.

17   An horse for preservation

          is a deceitful thing;

     And by the greatness of his strength

          can no deliv’rance bring.

18   Behold on those that do him fear

          the Lord doth set his eye;

     Ev’n those who on his mercy do

          with confidence rely.

19   From death to free their soul, in dearth

          life unto them to yield.

20   Our soul doth wait upon the Lord;

          he is our help and shield.

21   Sith in his holy name we trust,

          our heart shall joyful be.

22   Lord, let thy mercy be on us,

          as we do hope in thee.

1    Lord, I will thee extol, for thou

          hast lifted me on high,

     And over me thou to rejoice

          mad’st not mine enemy.

2    O thou who art the Lord my God,

          I in distress to thee,

     With loud cries lifted up my voice,

          and thou hast healed me.

3    O Lord, my soul thou hast brought up,

          and rescu’d from the grave;

     That I to pit should not go down,

          alive thou didst me save.

4    O ye that are his holy ones,

          sing praise unto the Lord;

     And give unto him thanks, when ye

          his holiness record.

5    For but a moment lasts his wrath;

          life in his favour lies:

     Weeping may for a night endure,

          at morn doth joy arise.

6    In my prosperity I said,

          that nothing shall me move.

7    O Lord, thou hast my mountain made

          to stand strong by thy love:

     But when that thou, O gracious God,

          didst hide thy face from me,

     Then quickly was my prosp’rous state

          turn’d into misery.

8    Wherefore unto the Lord my cry

          I caused to ascend:

     My humble supplication

          I to the Lord did send.

9    What profit is there in my blood,

          when I go down to pit?

     Shall unto thee the dust give praise?

          thy truth declare shall it?

10   Hear, Lord, have mercy; help me, Lord:

11        Thou turned hast my sadness

     To dancing; yea, my sackcloth loos’d,

          and girded me with gladness;

12   That sing thy praise my glory may,

          and never silent be.

     O Lord my God, for evermore

          I will give thanks to thee.

1    The Lord’s my light and saving health,

          who shall make me dismay’d?

     My life’s strength is the Lord, of whom

          then shall I be afraid?

2    When as mine enemies and foes,

          most wicked persons all,

     To eat my flesh against me rose,

          they stumbled and did fall.

3    Against me though an host encamp,

          my heart yet fearless is:

     Though war against me rise, I will

          be confident in this.

4    One thing I of the Lord desir’d,

          and will seek to obtain,

     That all days of my life I may

          within God’s house remain;

     That I the beauty of the Lord

          behold may and admire,

     And that I in his holy place

          may rev’rently enquire.

5    For he in his pavilion shall

          me hide in evil days;

     In secret of his tent me hide,

          and on a rock me raise.

6    And now, ev’n at this present time,

          mine head shall lifted be

     Above all those that are my foes,

          and round encompass me:

     Therefore unto his tabernacle

          I’ll sacrifices bring

     Of joyfulness; I’ll sing, yea, I

          to God will praises sing.

7    O Lord, give ear unto my voice,

          when I do cry to thee;

     Upon me also mercy have,

          and do thou answer me.

8    When thou didst say, Seek ye my face,

          then unto thee reply

     Thus did my heart, Above all things

          thy face, Lord, seek will I.

9    Far from me hide not thou thy face;

          put not away from thee

     Thy servant in thy wrath: thou hast

          an helper been to me.

     O God of my salvation,

          leave me not, nor forsake:

10   Though me my parents both should leave,

          the Lord will me up take.

11   O Lord, instruct me in thy way,

          to me a leader be

     In a plain path, because of those

          that hatred bear to me.

12   Give me not to mine en’mies’ will;

          for witnesses that lie

     Against me risen are, and such

          as breathe out cruelty.

13   I fainted had, unless that I

          believed had to see

     The Lord’s own goodness in the land

          of them that living be.

14   Wait on the Lord, and be thou strong,

          and he shall strength afford

     Unto thine heart; yea, do thou wait,

          I say, upon the Lord.