Jehovah to my prayer attend

Verse 1

Jehovah to my prayer attend; Before thee let my cry ascend.

Verse 2

Hide not thy face from me, while I, Daily oppressed, in trouble lie: Incline thine ear to me, with speed, And answer give, in time of need.

Verse 3

My days, like smoke, consume away; Like the burnt hearth my bones decay.

Verse 4

My heart, like grass, that's smit with heat, Withers; that I forget to eat.

Verse 5

By reason of my constant groans, I am reduced to skin, and bones.

Verse 6

I'm like the pelican, and owl, That lonely, in the deserts, stroll.

Verse 7

As mournful sparrow, perched alone On the house top, I watch, and moan.

Verse 8

My foes, me daily, treat with scorn; Against me madly they have sworn.

Verse 9

I've eaten ashes with my bread; And mixed my drink with tears I shed,

Verse 10

For thou hast thy hot anger shown, In Wrath thou dost upon me frown; Thou first didst lift me up on high, Then down most low hast made me lie.

Verse 11

My days decline, like the evening shade; Like withered grass, my strength's decayed.

Verse 12

But thou, Lord, ever shalt endure; Thy memory through all ages sure.

Verse 13

Rise, Lord, for Sion's help appear; The appointed time of favor's near.

Verse 14

Thy servants in her stones delight; Her dust is precious in their sight.

Verse 15

The gentiles, Lord, thy name shall fear; Earth's kings thy glory shall revere.

Verse 16

When God shall Sion's state repair, He'll shine most bright in glory there.

Verse 17

The poor's request he'll then regard, And their petition shall be heard.

Verse 18

To future ages this record; That the unborn race may praise the Lord.

Verse 19

For he looked down, from his thone on high; The Lord from heaven and earth did spy;

Verse 20

To hear the prisoners groans; and give Leave to the poor condemned to live:

Verse 21

In Sion, to declare his name, His praise through Salem to proclaim;

Verse 22

When Israel there, with one accord, And kingdoms meet, to serve the Lord.

Verse 23

My strength he weakened in the way; And of my life cut short the day.

Verse 24

I said, my God, let not my sun In darkness, set, while yet 'tis noon; Thy years, no run of time can waste, Which through all endless ages last.

Verse 25

Thou first the earth's foundations laid; The heavens are works thine hands have made.

Verse 26

They perish shall, but thou shalt last; They all, like robes, decay, and waste; Thou as a vest shalt change them all; And, at thy word, be changed they shall.

Verse 27

But thou the same dost still remain; No bounds thy endless years restrain.

Verse 28

Thy servants race shall yet reside; Their seed, before thee, fixed abide.