Psalm 55 (portions)
Words: Isaac Watts
There is also a Short Metre version on this page.
v1-8,16-18,22 Support for the afflicted and tempted soul.
1 O GOD, my refuge, hear my cries,
Behold my flowing tears,
For earth and hell my hurt devise,
And triumph in my fears.
2 Their rage is leveled at my life,
My soul with guilt they load,
And fill my thoughts with inward strife,
To shake my hope in God.
3 With inward pain my heart-strings sound,
I groan with ev'ry breath;
Horror and fear beset me round
Amongst the shades of death.
4 O were I like a feathered dove,
And innocence had wings,
I'd fly, and make a long remove
From all these restless things.
5 Let me to some wild desert go,
And find a peaceful home;
Where storms of malice never blow,
Temptations never come.
6 Vain hopes, and vain inventions all
To 'scape the rage of hell!
The mighty God on whom I call,
Can save me here as well.
PAUSE.
7 By morning light I'll seek his face,
At noon repeat my cry;
The night shall hear me ask his grace,
Nor will he long deny.
8 God shall preserve my soul from fear,
Or shield me when afraid;
Ten thousand angels must appear,
If he command their aid.
9 I cast my burdens on the Lord,
The Lord sustains them all;
My courage rests upon his word,
That saints shall never fall.
10 My highest hopes shall not be vain,
My lips shall spread his praise;
While cruel and deceitful men
Scarce live out half their days.
v15-17,19,22 Dangerous prosperity ; or, Daily devotions encouraged.
1 Let sinners take their course,
And choose the road to death ·
But ill the worship of my God
I'11 spend my daily breath.
2 My thoughts address his throne
When morning brings the light;
I'll seek his blessing ev'ry noon,
And pay my vows at night.
3 Thou wilt regard my cries,
O my eternal God,
While sinners perish ill surprise,
Beneath thine angry rod.
4 Because they dwell at ease,
And no sad changes feel,
They neither fear nor trust thy name,
Nor learn to do thy will.
5 But I with all my cares
Will lean upon the Lord;
I'11 cast my burdens on his arm,
And rest upon his work
6 His arm shall well sustain
The children of his love;
The ground on which their safety stands,
No earthly power can move.
