Psalm 56

Words: Isaac Watts

Common Metre Tunes

Deliverance from oppression and falsehood.
   1  O Thou whose justice reigns on high,
         And makes th' oppressor cease,
      Behold how envious sinners try
         To vex and break my peace.
   2  The sons of violence and lies
         Join to devour me, Lord;
      But as my hourly dangers rise,
         My refuge is thy word.
   3  In God most holy, just, and true,
         I have reposed my trust;
      Nor will I fear what flesh can do,
         The offspring of the dust.
   4  They wrest my words to mischief still,
         Charge me with unknown faults;
      Mischief doth all their counsels fill,
         And malice all their thoughts.
   5  Shall they escape without thy frown ?
         Must their devices stand ?
      O cast the haughty sinner down,
         And let him know thy hand.
   PAUSE.
   6  God counts the sorrows of his saints,
         Their groans affect his ears;
      Thou hast a book for my complaints,
         A bottle for my tears.
   7  When to thy throne I raise my cry,
         The wicked fear and flee;
      So swift is prayer to reach the sky,
         So near is God to me.
   8  In thee, most holy, just, and true,
         I have reposed my trust;
      Nor will I fear what man can do,
         The offspring of the dust.
   9  Thy solemn vows are on me, Lord,
         Thou shalt receive my praise;
      I '11 sing, "How faithful is thy word,
         How righteous all thy ways!"
  10  Thou hast secured my soul from death,
         O set thy pris'ner free!
      That heart and hand, and life and breath,
         May be employed for thee.


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Page last modified on: 07/29/2004