Classic Poem

Part I.

Who trusts in Thee, O let not shame deject!
Thou ever just, my chased soul secure;
Lord, lend a willing ear, with speed protect;
Be Thou my rock, with Thy strong arm immure.

My rock, my fortress, for Thy honour aid,
And my engaged feet from danger guide;
Pull from their subtle snares in secret laid,
O Thou my only strength so often tried.

To Thy safe hands my spirit I commend,
O my Redeemer, O Thou God of truth.
Who lies invent or unto idols bend,
I have abhorr'd; but lov'd Thee from my youth.

I will rejoice and in Thy mercy boast,
That in his trouble wouldst Thy servant know;
Deliver, when in expectation lost,
Nor yield him to the triumph of his foe.

Part II.

Now help the comfortless: my sight decays,
My spirits faint, my flesh consumes with care;
My life is spent with grief, in sighs my days,
My strength through sin dissolves, my bones impair.

To all my foes I am become a scorn,
Nor least to those who seem'd in love most near;
By all my late familiar friends forlorn,
Who when they meet me turn aside for fear.

Forgot like those who in the grave abide,
And, as a broken vessel past repair;
Traduc'd by many (fear on ev'ry side)
Who counsel take and would my life ensnare.

But, Lord, my hopes are on Thee fix'd; I said,
Thou art my God, my days are in Thy hand;
Against my furious foes oppose Thy aid,
And those who persecute my soul withstand.

O let Thy face upon Thy servant shine;
Save for Thy mercies' sake, from shame defend.
Shame cover those who keep no laws of Thine,
And undeplored to the grave descend.

Part III.

The lying lips in endless silence close,
That with despite and pride traduce the just.
What joy hast Thou reserv'd, what wrought for those,
(In sight of all) who fear, and in Thee trust!

Those shalt Thou in Thy secret presence hide
From their oppressors' violence and wrongs;
They in Thy close pavilion shall abide,
Secured from the strife of envious tongues.

Blest He! who in a walled city hath
To me His wonderful affection shown;
I rashly said, I am the food of wrath,
Cut off, for ever from His presence thrown.

Yet Thou, O Ever Blessed, heard'st my pray'r,
When to Thy mercy I address my cry;
O love the living Lord, all you that are
His chosen saints, and on His aid rely;

For He the faithful ever will preserve,
And render to the proud their full deserts;
Courageous be all you who hope and serve
The Lord of Life who will confirm your hearts.