Psalm 56 J.H.
Words: Sternhold and Hopkins, The Whole Book of Psalms Collected into English Metre
1 Have mercy, Lord, on me, I pray,
for man would me devour;
He fighteth with me day by day,
and troubleth me each hour.
2 My foes do daily enterprise
to swallow me outright;
To fight against me many rise,
O thou Most High of might.
3 When they would make me sore afraid
with boasts and brags of pride,
I trust in thee alone for aid,
by thee 1 will abide.
4 God's promise I do mind and praise,
O Lord, I stick to thee;
I do not care at all essays
what flesh can do to me.
5 What things I either did or spake,
they wrest them at their will;
And all the counsel that they take
is how to work me ill:
6 They all consent themselves to hide,
close watch for me to lay;
They spy my paths, and snares have tried
to take my life away.
7 Shall they escape, on mischief set
thou, God, on them wilt frown;
For in thy wrath thou dost not let
to throw whole kingdoms down.
8 Thou seest how oft they made me flee,
and on my tears dost look;
Reserve them in a glass by thee,
and write them in thy book.
9 When I do call upon thy Name,
my foes away do start;
I well perceive it by the same
that God doth take my part.
10 I glory in the word of God,
to praise it I accord,
With joy I will declare abroad
the promise of the Lord.
11 I trust in God the Lord, and say,
as I before began,
The Lord he is my help and stay,
I do not care for man.
12 I will perform with heart most free
my vows to God always,
And I, O Lord, all times to thee
will offer, thanks and praise.
13 My soul from death thou dost defend,
and keepst my feet upright;
That I before thee may ascend
with such as live in light.
