Words: , The Psalms of David, 1719. Music: Gräfenberg, , Praxis Pietatis Melica, 1647. |
My trust is in my heavenly Friend,
My hope in Thee, my God;
Rise and my helpless life defend
From those that seek my blood.
If I had e’er provoked them first,
Or once abused my foe,
Then let him tread my life to dust,
And lay mine honor low.
If there be malice found in me,
I know Thy piercing eyes;
I should not dare appeal to Thee,
Nor ask my God to rise.
Arise, my God, lift up Thy hand,
Their pride and power control;
Awake to judgment and command
Deliverance for my soul.
Let sinners and their wicked rage
Be humbled to the dust;
Shall not the God of truth engage
To vindicate the just?
He knows the heart, He tries the reins,
He will defend th’upright:
His sharpest arrows He ordains
Against the sons of spite.
For me their malice digged a pit,
But there themselves are cast;
My God makes all their mischief light
On their own heads at last.
That cruel persecuting race
Must feel His dreadful sword;
Awake, my soul, and praise the grace
And justice of the Lord.