Psalms of David 40
40
PSALM XL.
L. M.
1I WAITED meekly for the Lord,
Till he vouchsaf’d a kind reply;
Who did his gracious ear afford,
And heard from heav’n my humble cry.
2He took me from the dismal pit,
When founder’d deep in miry clay;
On solid ground he plac’d my feet,
And suffer’d not my steps to stray.
3The wonders he for me has wrought
Shall fillmy mouth with songs of praise;
And others, to his worship brought,
To hopes of like deliv’rance raise.
4For blessings shall that man reward,
Who on th’ Almighty Lord relies;
Who treats the proud with disregard,
And hates the hypocrite’s disguise.
5Who can the wondrous works recount,
Which thou, O God, for us hast wrought!
The treasures of thy love surmount
The pow’r of numbers, speech, and thought.
6I’ve learnt, that thou hast not desir’d
Off’rings and sacrifice alone;
Nor blood of guiltless beasts requir’d
For man’s transgression to atone.
7I therefore come — come to fulfil
The oracles thy books impart:
8’Tis my delight to do thy will;
Thy law is written in my heart.
The Second Part.
9In full assemblies I have told
Thy truth and righteousness at large;
Nor did, th ou know’st, my lips withhold
From utt’ring what thou gav’st in charge.
10Nor kept within my breast confin’d
Thy faithfulness and saving grace;
But preach’d thy love, for all design’d,
That all might that and truth embrace.
11Then let those mercies I declar’d
To others, Lord, extend to me;
Thy lovingkindness my reward,
Thy truth my safe protection be.
12For I with troubles am distress’d,
Too numberless for me to bear;
Nor less with loads of guilt oppress’d,
That plunge and sink me to despair.
As soon, alas, may I recount
The hairs on this afflicted head:
My vanquish’d courage they surmount,
And fill my drooping soul with dread.
The Third Part.
13But, Lord, to my relief draw near,
For never was more pressing need;
In my deliv’rance, Lord, appear,
And add to that deliv’rance speed.
14Confusion on their heads return,
Who to destroy my soul combine;
Let them, defeated, blush and mourn,
Ensnar’d in their own vile design.
15Their doom let desolation be,
With shame their malice be repaid,
Who mock’d my confidence in thee,
And sport of my affliction made:
16While those, who humbly seek thy face,
To joyful triumphs shall be rais’d.
And all who prize thy saving grace
With me resound, The Lord be prais’d.
17Thus, wretched though I am and poor,
Of me th’ Almighty Lord takes care;
Thou, God, who only canst restore,
To my relief with speed repair.
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Psalms of David 40: MP1696
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First published 1696, improved 1698.
Psalms of David 40
40
PSALM XL.
L. M.
1I WAITED meekly for the Lord,
Till he vouchsaf’d a kind reply;
Who did his gracious ear afford,
And heard from heav’n my humble cry.
2He took me from the dismal pit,
When founder’d deep in miry clay;
On solid ground he plac’d my feet,
And suffer’d not my steps to stray.
3The wonders he for me has wrought
Shall fillmy mouth with songs of praise;
And others, to his worship brought,
To hopes of like deliv’rance raise.
4For blessings shall that man reward,
Who on th’ Almighty Lord relies;
Who treats the proud with disregard,
And hates the hypocrite’s disguise.
5Who can the wondrous works recount,
Which thou, O God, for us hast wrought!
The treasures of thy love surmount
The pow’r of numbers, speech, and thought.
6I’ve learnt, that thou hast not desir’d
Off’rings and sacrifice alone;
Nor blood of guiltless beasts requir’d
For man’s transgression to atone.
7I therefore come — come to fulfil
The oracles thy books impart:
8’Tis my delight to do thy will;
Thy law is written in my heart.
The Second Part.
9In full assemblies I have told
Thy truth and righteousness at large;
Nor did, th ou know’st, my lips withhold
From utt’ring what thou gav’st in charge.
10Nor kept within my breast confin’d
Thy faithfulness and saving grace;
But preach’d thy love, for all design’d,
That all might that and truth embrace.
11Then let those mercies I declar’d
To others, Lord, extend to me;
Thy lovingkindness my reward,
Thy truth my safe protection be.
12For I with troubles am distress’d,
Too numberless for me to bear;
Nor less with loads of guilt oppress’d,
That plunge and sink me to despair.
As soon, alas, may I recount
The hairs on this afflicted head:
My vanquish’d courage they surmount,
And fill my drooping soul with dread.
The Third Part.
13But, Lord, to my relief draw near,
For never was more pressing need;
In my deliv’rance, Lord, appear,
And add to that deliv’rance speed.
14Confusion on their heads return,
Who to destroy my soul combine;
Let them, defeated, blush and mourn,
Ensnar’d in their own vile design.
15Their doom let desolation be,
With shame their malice be repaid,
Who mock’d my confidence in thee,
And sport of my affliction made:
16While those, who humbly seek thy face,
To joyful triumphs shall be rais’d.
And all who prize thy saving grace
With me resound, The Lord be prais’d.
17Thus, wretched though I am and poor,
Of me th’ Almighty Lord takes care;
Thou, God, who only canst restore,
To my relief with speed repair.
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:
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First published 1696, improved 1698.