In thee, all-clement God, my hopes I place

Verse 1

In thee, all-clement God, my hopes I place; O never let thy servant know disgrace;

Verse 2

But hear; thy kind indulgent mercy shew, And bid thy justice free me from the foe:

Verse 3

My rock, my fortress, my salvation, thou; Hope of my youth, and object of my vow, To thee I fly, as to a sure defence, To thee, blest guardian of my innocence; Cause thou the schemes of cruel men to fail; Nor let their efforts 'gainst my peace prevail.

Verse 4

To me thy mercies have been always great; Those mercies oft I gratefully repeat; How from my birth thy goodness thou hast shewn, How from my infant-years thou'st led me on.

Verse 5

Now of derision I an object prove; Yet still my certain refuge is thy love;

Verse 6

Therefore, while glads the radiant sun the day, Thine honour I, thy goodness will display.

Verse 7

Of impious foes protect me from the rage, And not forsake me in my feeble age:

Verse 8

Constant their secret mischiefs they prepare, And greatly hope, they shall my life ensnare:

Verse 9

"His God denies him aid; he's ours (they cry) "Now seize him, take him, and the wretch destroy."

Verse 10

But thou, O God, thy kind assistance lend, Baffle their hopes, and my poor soul defend;

Verse 11

With vile dishonour and with shame meet they, To certain ruin who'd my steps betray; Infatuate thou their schemes, their hearts confound, Who make it all their joy my soul to wound,

Verse 12

For in thy mercy I will ever hope, I'll praise the bounteous God that rais'd me up;

Verse 13

Thy love unmerited I'll daily sing, And to thy glorious name attune the string;

Verse 14

Extol the pow'r, that gives me strength in war, And thy strict justice faithfullv declare.

Verse 15

My youth thou'st guided in tne perfect road, Nor have I prov'd ungrateful to my God.

Verse 16

Now then, when age with all it's ills oppress, Now not desert me in my deep distress; That I to nations yet unborn may sing The pow'r, the mercy, of my heav'nly king.

Verse 17

Thy justice, Lord, ascends yon heav'ns above; O dread creator, who like thee can prove?

Verse 18

True; thou didst plunge me in the depths of grief, But soon thy mercy gave my soul relief:

Verse 19

Pow'r, wealth and honour, soon didst thou supply, And gav'st me peace and happiness t' enjoy.

Verse 20

Therefore my psalt'ry and my harp display Thy truth, O Israels God, from day to day;

Verse 21

Therefore my soul, by thee redeem'd from woe, In ardent praise her gratitude shall shew;

Verse 22

Therefore thy righteous acts shall fill my tongue; The justice of my God my constant song; Who on my foes did dire destruction pour, My foes, who sought his servant to devour.