Jehovah, to My Prayer Give Ear

Verse 1

Jehovah, to my prayer give ear, nor hide Thee from my cry; attend my sad complaint, and hear my restless moan and sigh.

Verse 2

My enemies lift up their voice, the violent oppress; to do me wrong my foes rejoice, and love my soul’s distress.

Verse 3

Sore pained in heart I find no ease, death’s terrors fill my soul, great fear and trembling on me seize, and horrors o’er me roll.

Verse 4

O had I wings, I sigh and say, like some swift dove to roam, then I would hasten far away and find a peaceful home.

Verse 5

Lo, wand'ring far, my rest should be in some lone desert waste; I from the stormy wind would flee, and to a shelter haste.

Verse 6

O Lord, their malice recompense, their wicked tongues confound, for in the city violence and bitter strife abound.

Verse 7

They walk her walls both night and day, within all vices meet; oppression, fraud, and crime hold sway, nor leave the crowded street.

Verse 8

No foreign foe provokes alarm, but enemies within; may God destroy their power to harm and recompense their sin.

Verse 9

On God alone my soul relies, and He will soon relieve; the LORD will hear my plaintive cries at morning, noon, and eve.

Verse 10

He has redeemed my soul in peace, from conflict set me free; my many foes are made to cease, and strive no more with me.

Verse 11

The living God in righteousness will recompense with shame the men who, hardened by success, forget to fear His Name

Verse 12

All treach'rous friends who overreach and break their plighted troth, who hide their hate with honeyed speech, with such the Lord is wroth.

Verse 13

Upon the Lord thy burden cast, to Him bring all thy care; He will sustain and hold thee fast, and give thee strength to bear.

Verse 14

God will not let His saints be moved; protected, they shall see their foes cut off and sin reproved; O God, I trust in Thee.