Lyrics

1 To thee I’ll cry, O Lord, my rock;
hold not thy peace to me;
Lest like those that to pit descend
I by thy silence be.

2 The voice hear of my humble pray’rs,
when unto thee I cry;
When to thine holy oracle
I lift mine hands on high.

3 With ill men draw me not away
that work iniquity;
That speak peace to their friends, while in
their hearts doth mischief lie.

4 Give them according to their deeds
and ills endeavored:
And as their handy-works deserve,
to them be rendered.

5 God shall not build, but them destroy,
who would not understand
The Lord’s own works, nor did regard
the doing of his hand.

6 For ever blessed be the Lord,
for graciously he heard
The voice of my petitions,
and prayers did regard.

7 The Lord’s my strength and shield; my heart
upon him did rely;
And I am helped: hence my heart
doth joy exceedingly,

And with my song I will him praise.
8 My strength is God alone:
He also is the saving strength
of his anointed one.

9 O thine own people do thou save,
bless thine inheritance;
Them also do thou feed, and them
for evermore advance.

Audio

Notes by John Brown of Haddington

A Psalm of David.

Observe here, (1.) David, amidst great distress, earnestly supplicating deliverance from his God, ver. 1-3. (2.) His implacable enemies doomed to the just punishment of their sin, ver. 4-5. (3.) Himself triumphing in God, as the hearer of his prayers, and as his protector, help and strength, ver. 6-8. (4.) His solemn supplication for salvation and blessedness; for nourishment, honour, and safety to the people of God, ver. 9.

While I remember Jesus of Nazareth ­ whose cries in trouble were so vehement; whose implacable enemies incur such fearful misery; and who being exalted to the right hand of God, and made full of joy with his countenance, maketh continual intercession for his chosen race ­ let my soul lift up her voice to God, for rich and everlasting blessings to myself and his church.

Lyrics

1 To thee I’ll cry, O Lord, my rock;
hold not thy peace to me;
Lest like those that to pit descend
I by thy silence be.

2 The voice hear of my humble pray’rs,
when unto thee I cry;
When to thine holy oracle
I lift mine hands on high.

3 With ill men draw me not away
that work iniquity;
That speak peace to their friends, while in
their hearts doth mischief lie.

4 Give them according to their deeds
and ills endeavored:
And as their handy-works deserve,
to them be rendered.

5 God shall not build, but them destroy,
who would not understand
The Lord’s own works, nor did regard
the doing of his hand.

6 For ever blessed be the Lord,
for graciously he heard
The voice of my petitions,
and prayers did regard.

7 The Lord’s my strength and shield; my heart
upon him did rely;
And I am helped: hence my heart
doth joy exceedingly,

And with my song I will him praise.
8 My strength is God alone:
He also is the saving strength
of his anointed one.

9 O thine own people do thou save,
bless thine inheritance;
Them also do thou feed, and them
for evermore advance.