XL. I waited long and sought the Lord

1 I waited long and sought the Lord,
and patiently did bear;
At length he did to me accord
my voice and cry to hear;

2 He brought me from the dreadful pit,
out of the mire and clay;
Upon a rock he set my feet,
and he did guide my way:

3 To me he taught a psalm of praise,
which I must shew abroad,
And sing new songs of thanks always
unto the Lord our God.

4 When all the folk these things shall see,
as people much afraid,
Then they unto the Lord will flee,
and trust upon his aid.

5 Blessed is he whose hope and heart
doth in the Lord remain,
That with the proud doth take no part,
nor such as lies maintain.

6 For, Lord my God, thy wondrous deeds
in greatness far do pass,
Thy favour towards us exceeds
all things that ever was.

7 When I intend and do devise
thy works abroad to show,
To such a reck'ning they do rise,
thereof no end I know.

8 Burnt-off'rings thou delight'st not in,
I know thy whole desire;
With sacrifice to purge his sin,
thou dost no man require.

9 Meat-offerings and sacrifice
thou would'st not have at all;
But thou, O Lord, hast open made
my ears to hear withal.

10 But then, said I, behold, and look,
I come with heart most free,
For in the volume of the book
Thus it is said of me:

11 That I, O God, should do thy mind,
which thing doth please me well;
For in my heart thy law I find
fast placed there to dwell.

12 Thy righteousness and justice I
in great assemblies tell;
Behold, my tongue no time doth cease,
O Lord, thou knowest well.

The Second Part

13 I have not hid within my breast
thy goodness as by stealth;
But I declare and have exprest
thy truth and saving health.

14 I kept not close thy loving mind,
that no man it should know;
The trust that in thy truth I find
to all the church I show.

15 Thy tender mercy, Lord, for me
withdraw thou not away;
But let thy love and verity
preserve me night and day.

16 For I with many troubles am
encompassed about
My sins so greatly do increase
I cannot spy them out.

17 For why? in number they exceed
the hairs upon my head;
My heart doth faint for very fear,
that I am almost dead.

18 With speed send help and set me free,
O Lord, I thee require;
Make haste with aid to succour me,
O Lord, at my desire.

19 Confound them with rebuke and shame,
that seek my soul to spill;
Drive back my foes, and them defame
that wish me any ill.

20 For their ill feats do them descry,
that would deface my name,
Always at me they rail and cry,
Fie on him, fie for shame.

21 Let them in thee have joy and wealth,
that seek to thee always,
That those that love thy saving health
may say, To God be praise.

22 But as for me, I am but poor,
opprest, and brought full low;
Yet thou, O Lord, wilt me restore
to health, full well I know.

23 For why? thou art my hope and trust,
my refuge, help and stay;
Wherefore, my God, as thou art just,
with me no time delay.

Text Information
First Line: I waited long and sought the Lord
Author: J. H.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1790
Scripture:
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