Classic Poem

1

And now for want of strength
And weakness Bodily,
I could say much; For few, I think,
Have felt it more then I
I have been many years
So impotent and weak
As none are able to conceive
That onely hear me speak.

2

And when I find most strength
And thereupon assay
To serve the Lord with all my heart
In the most publick way;
Just when I should set forth
Such feebleness assails me
That I am like a man half dead,
All strength and vigour fails me

3

I go to God and tell him,
Thou Lord hast strength, I want it
To do thee service therewithal,
In faithfulness O grant it
Thou putt'st me now on service,
And strength in me there's none:
Therefore on thee the God of strength
I will depend alone

4

Mine eyes are wholly thus
Unto the God of strength:
I cast my self upon his Power,
Who succours me at length,
And in the time of need
Doth such assistance give,
That those who hear me scarce know how
My weakness to believe

5

But this is certain truth,
My strength again is gone,
And languishings return, as soon
As e're the work is done.
And every such attempt,
In this my weak estate,
My bodily Ails for divers weeks
Doth much exasperate

6

By every little doing
I suffer very much:
Yet at God's hand I neither dare,
Nor have I cause to grutch.
Hath not the Potter power
To frame out of the clay
One vessel for to serve him thus,
Others another way.

7

But I have said enough,
All tending to depress
The Creature, and for to advance
God's Power and Faithfulness.
For sure his power shines forth
In our Infirmity;
That whoso glorieth, glory may
In God alone most High