Psalm 17
Words: Brady and Tate, A New Version of the Psalms of David
1 To just plea and sad complaint,
attend, O righteous Lord,
And to my pray'r, as 'tis unfeigned,
a gracious ear afford.
2 As in thy sight I am approved,
so let my sentence be;
And with impartial eyes, O Lord,
my upright dealing see.
3 For thou hast searched my heart by day,
and visited by night;
And on the strictest trial found
its secret motions right.
Nor shall thy justice, Lord, alone
my heart's designs acquit;
For I have purposed that my tongue
shall no offence commit.
4 I know what wicked men would do
their safety to maintain;
But me thy just and mild commands
from bloody paths restrain.
5 That I may still, in spite of wrongs,
my innocence secure;
O guide me in thy righteous ways,
and make my footsteps sure.
6 Since heretofore I ne'er in vain
to thee my pray'r addressed;
O now, my God, incline thine ear
to this my just request.
7 The wonders of thy truth and love
in my defense engage;
Thou, whose right hand preserves thy saints
from their oppressors' rage.
The Second Part.
8,9 O! keep me in thy tend'rest care;
thy shelt'ring wings stretch out,
To guard me safe from savage foes,
that compass me about.
10 O'ergrown with luxury, enclosed
in their own fat they lie;
And with a proud blaspheming mouth
both God and man defy.
1l Well may they boast, for they have now
my paths encompassed round;
Their eyes at watch, their bodies bowed,
and crouching on the ground,
12 In posture of a lion set,
when greedy of his prey;
Or a young lion, when he lurks
within a covert way.
13 Arise, O Lord, defeat their plots,
their swelling rage control;
From wicked men, who are thy sword,
deliver thou my soul.
14 From worldly men, thy sharpest scourge,
whose portion's here below;
Who, filled with earthly stores, desire
no other bliss to know.
15 Their race is num'rous that partake
their substance while they live:
Their heirs survive, to whom they may
the vast remainder give.
16 But I, in uprightness, thy face
shall view without control;
And, waking, shall its image find
reflected in my soul.
