I'll dearly love thee, Lord, my strength

Verse 1

I'll dearly love thee, Lord, my strength.

Verse 2

The Lord's my rock, my fort likewise And Savior mine, my God, my strength, My shield on whom my trust relies, My safety's horn, my tower likewise.

Verse 3

Upon Jehovah I will call Who to be praised worthy is; So from my foes be saved I shall.

Verse 4

Death's sorrows me encompassed, And floods of Belial frighted me.

Verse 5

Hell's pangs me round environed; The snares of death prevented me.

Verse 6

In my straits on the Lord called I, And to my God cried; he did hear My voice from's temple, and my cry Before him came into his ear.

Verse 7

Then the earth did shake and quake, likewise, Moved hills foundations shook at's ire.

Verse 8

Smoke from his nostrils did arise And from his mouth devouring fire, By it the coals en-kindled were.

Verse 9

Likewise the heavens he down bowed And he descended; also there Was at his feet a gloomy cloud.

Verse 10

And he on cherubs rode apace, Yea on the wings of wind he flew.

Verse 11

He darkness made his secret place His covert round about him drew, Dark waters, and thick clouds of skies.

Verse 12

From brightness that before him was His thickened clouds did pass likewise Hail-stones and coals of fire did pass.

Verse 13

Jehovah thundered forth also, Within the heavens in his ire, The highest caused his voice to go Hail-stones and burning coals of fire,

Verse 14

Yea he his arrows did send out, And bruising he them scattered: And lightnings he did hurl about, And them with dread discomfited.

Verse 15

The channels where the waters past Were seen, the ground-works of the world Appeared at thy rebuke, at blast Of thy displeasure's breath, O Lord.

Verse 16

He from above sent, he me set The waters great he drew me for;

Verse 17

From my strong foes, me free he set From them that hated me also. For they were mightier than I.

Verse 18

They me prevented in the day Of that my dark calamity. Yet was the Lord for me a stay.

Verse 19

And he led me a large place to, He saved me, for he did delight

Verse 20

In me. The Lord repaid me so, According as I did aright. After the pureness of my hands He gave a recompense to me.

Verse 21

Because I kept the Lord's commands, Nor I from God went wickedly.

Verse 22

Fro judgements all were in my sight: Nor from me his decrees put I:

Verse 23

And I before him was upright, Me kept from mine iniquity.

Verse 24

Therefore the Lord rewarded me According as I did aright; After mine hands integrity, That did appear before his sight.

Verse 25

With persons merciful that are Thou merciful thy self wilt show; Thou upright wilt thy self declare With such as upright are also.

Verse 26

With such as hollow purity, That thou art pure thou wilt declare; For thou wilt turn thy self away Against them all that froward are.

Verse 27

Because thou safety wilt afford To poor folk; but high looks suppress.

Verse 28

But thou wilt light my lamp, the Lord My God will lighten my darkness,

Verse 29

For through a troop by thee i ride; And by my God leaped o'er a wall.

Verse 30

God's way entire, the Lord's word tried; That trust in him he's shield to all.

Verse 31

For who is God the Lord but he? Or who a rock our God besides?

Verse 32

It's God with strength that girdeth me And me in perfect way doth guide.

Verse 33

He makes my feet like as a roe, And on my high place makes me stand!

Verse 34

Mine arms do break the brazen bow; So well to war he learns my hand.

Verse 35

And of thy saving health the shield thou hast bestowed upon me; And thy right hand hath me upheld, Thy meekness made me great to be.

Verse 36

Thou under me my steps mad'st large So that my ankles did not slide.

Verse 37

My foes pursued, and o'er charge I turned not till they were destroyed.

Verse 38

I pierced them that they could not rise, They at my feet did fall subdued.

Verse 39

Fro thou hast girded me likewise Unto the war with fortitude. Thou hast subdued under me Those that did up against me rise,

Verse 40

My foes their necks thou gavest me That I might waste mine enemies.

Verse 41

They cried; but none to save thy find: To God, but with no answer meet.

Verse 42

I beat them then as dust in the wind, And cast them out as dust in the street.

Verse 43

And thou hast me delivered From people that contentious be: Thou of the heathen mad'st me head, The folk I knew not, shall serve me.

Verse 44

They'll at first hearing me obey; Themselves shall strangers yield to me.

Verse 45

The strangers sons shall fade away, And from their closets frighted be.

Verse 46

Give Lord, and let my rock be blest: God of my health exalted be.

Verse 47

God that for me revenge expressed, And brings down people under me.

Verse 48

He saved me from mine enemies; And thou didst lift me higher than Those that did up against me rise; And freed me from the violent man.

Verse 49

I will therefore to thee confess With thanks the heathen folk among, Jehovah to thy name express My praises will in a song.

Verse 50

He giveth great salvation Unto his king; and doth display His mercy to's anointed one, To David and his seed for aye.