P55b. Hear thou my prayer, O God, hide not

1 Hear thou my prayer, O God, hide not
from my entreating voice:
2 attend and hear me, in my plaint
I mourn and make a noise;
3 for voice of enemies, and for
vile men’s oppression great:
on me they cast iniquity,
and they in wrath me hate.

4 Sore pained within me is my heart:
death’s terrors on me fall.
5 On me comes trembling, fear and dread
me overwhelmed withal.
6 O that I like a dove had wings,
said I, then would I flee
far hence, that I might find a place
where I in rest might be.

7 Lo, then far off I wander would,
and in the desert stay;
8 from stormy wind and tempest I
would haste to ‘scape away.
9 O Lord, on them destruction bring,
do thou their tongues divide;
for in the city violence
and strife have I descried.

10 They day and night upon the walls
do compass it around:
there mischief is, and sorrow there
in midst of it is found.
11 Abundant wickedness there is
within its inward part;
and from its streets deceitfulness
and guile do not depart.

12 He was no foe that me reproached,
for that I could abide;
no hater that against me rose,
else I from him might hide.
13 'Twas thou, a man, mine equal, guide,
who mine acquaintance wast:
14 we joined sweet counsels: to God’s house
amidst the throng we passed.

15 Let death them seize, and to the grave
alive let them depart;
for wickedness is in their house
and evil in their heart.
16 I call on God; the Lord me saves.
17 I make my plaint and sigh
at evening, morning, and at noon;
and he regards my cry.

18 He hath my soul delivered,
that it in peace might be
from battle that against me was;
for many were with me.
19 The Lord shall hear and them afflict
(of old abideth he),
even them who have no fear of God,
and changes never see.

20 ’Gainst those that were at peace with him
he hath put forth his hand:
the covenant that he had made,
by breaking he profaned.
21 More smooth than butter were his words,
while in his heart was war:
his speeches were more soft than oil,
and yet drawn swords they are.

22 Cast thou thy burden on the Lord,
and he shall thee sustain;
yea, he shall cause the righteous man
unmoved to remain.
23 But thou, O God, in judgment just
those men shalt overthrow,
and in destruction’s dungeon dark
at last shalt lay them low;

The bloody and deceitful men
shall not live half their days:
but upon thee with confidence
I will depend always.

Text Information
First Line: Hear thou my prayer, O God, hide not
Meter: CM
Language: English
Publication Date: 2004
Scripture:
Tune Information
Name: MARTYRS
Harmonizer: David Evans, 1874-1948
Meter: CM
Key: d minor or modal
Source: Scottish Psalter, 1615 (1635 rhythm)



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