The Psalms of David ‎#LIX

LIX. Deliver me, O LORD, my GOD

1 Deliver me, O LORD. my GOD,
From all my cruel spiteful Foes;
In my Defence exert thy Pow'r,
To quell their Rage who me oppose:
Preserve me from a wicked Race,
Who make a Trade of doing Ill;
Protect me from remorseless Men,
Who daily seek my Blood to spill.

2 They lie in wait, and mighty Pow'rs
Against my harmless Life combine,
Implacable; yet LORD, Thou know'st,
'Tis done for no Offence of mine.
In Haste they run about, and watch,
IN Snares my guiltless Life to take;
Look down, O LORD, on my Distress,
And to my speedy Help awake!

3 Thou LORD of Hosts, and Israel's GOD,
Their Heathen Rage at once suppress;
Relentless Vengeance take on those,
Who still most stubbornly transgress.
At Evening, to beset my House,
Like hungry growling Dogs they meet,
While others thro' the City range,
And lawless ransack ev'ry Street.

4 Their Throats envenom'd Slander breathe;
Their Tongues are keen like sharpen'd Swords;
"Who hears, (say they) or hearing, dares
"Reprove or check our lawless Words?"
But from thy awful Throne O LORD,
Thou shalt their baffled Plots deride,
And soon to Scorn and Shame expose,
Their so much boasted heathen Pride.

5 On thee I wait; 'tis on thy Strength,
For timely Succour I depend:
'Tis thou, O GOD, art my Defence,
For thou alone canst me defend.
Thy Mercy, LORD, which has so oft,
From threat'ning Dangers set me free,
Shall crown my Wishes, and at last
Subdue my haughty Foes to me.

Part II

6 Destroy them not, O LORD, at once,
Restrain a while thy vengeful Blow;
Lest we ungratefully, too soon
Forget their sudden Overthrow.
Disperse them thro' the Nations round,
O GOD, by thy avenging Pow'r!
Do thou bring down their haughty Pride,
For thou art still our Shield and Tow'r.

7 Now in the Height of all their Hopes,
Their growing Arrogance chastise,
Whose Tongues have sinn'd without Restraint,
And join'd to bitter Curses Lies:
Nor shalt thou, whilst their Race endures,
Thy righteous Anger, LORD, suppress,
That distant Lands, by their just Doom,
May Israel's powerful GOD confess.

8 At Evening let them still persist,
Like hungry growling Dogs to meet;
Still wander all the City round,
And lawless traverse every Street:
Then, as for Malice now they do,
For pinching Hunger let them stray,
And yell their vain Complaints aloud,
Defeated of their wish'd-for Prey.

9 Whilst early I thy Mercy sing,
And thy amazing Pow'r confess:
For Thou hast been my sure Defence,
My only Refuge in Distress.
To thee, with never ceasing Praise,
O GOD, my Strength! I'll loudly sing:
Thou art my GOD, my Rock, from whence
My Health, my Life, ny Safety spring.

Text Information

• First Line: Deliver me, O LORD, my GOD
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1767
• Scripture:
  Psalm 59
• Topic: Prayers: When surrounded by Enemies; Prophecies: Prophetical Curses against the Enemies and Persecutors of the Chruch

Tune Information

• Name: [Deliver me, O Lord, my God]
• Key: F Major