My God! my God! why leavest thou me, When I in anguish call on thee? (Hopkinson)

Verse 1

My GOD! my GOD! why leavst thou me, When I with Anguish call on thee? Why dost thou me neglect, And my loud Pray'r reject? All Day, but all the day in vain, To thee, O LORD, do I complain: All Night have I implor'd Thy Help to me restor'd.

Verse 2

Yet thou, O LORD, art ever just, Relieving those, who in thee trust; Therefore shalt Israel raise To thee, continual Praise: On Thee our Ancestors rely'd, And in thy Strength their Foes devy'd; To thee their Pray'rs address'd, And with Success were bless'd. of Innocence oppress'd;

Verse 3

Thy sure Deliv'rance, LORD, they found, When Dangers gather'd thickest round; Thine Ears their Cries receiv;d, And they were soon reliev'd; But I, like none of human Birth, Am made the scoffing Rabble's Mirth; Ev'n like a Reptile base, They hold me in Disgrace.

Verse 4

My Agonies, the gazing Crowd, Survey with Scorn and Laughter loud, They mock whilst I complain, And thus my Woes disdain: "He boasted, he was Heav'n's Delight, "Let GOD relieve his Favourite; "Let him Assistance send, "His Servant to defend.

Verse 5

But thou didst from my Mother's Womb, Make me a living Offspring come; Thy Care thou didst extend, Me helpless to defend: My Youth thou didst from Danger shield, And Guardian-like Protection yield; In thee I will confide, For thou wert still my Guide.

Verse 6

Withdraw not then, O GOD, Most high! Thy Aid, when Trouble is so nigh: Do thou that Help extend, On which I still depend. High-pamper'd Bulls, a frowning Throng, From Basan's Forest, fierce and strong, Prepare with growing Rage, Against me to engage.

Verse 7

They gape on me, and to my Fears, Each Mouth, a yawning Grave appears; Wide open to devour My Soul, when in their Pow'r: The desart Lion's savage Roar, Could not increase my Horrors more. In Compact close combin'd, They have my Fall design'd.

Verse 8

My Joints are rack'd, and out of Frame; My Heart like Wax before the Flame. Within my Bosom glows; My Blood like Water flows: My Strength is parch'd' like Potter's Clay, My fault'ring Tongue forgets to play; My Soul all Hope resigns, And to the Grave declines.

Verse 9

Like Blood-hounds, they assembled round, My harmless Hands and Feet they wound; And through my constant Pain, I languish and complain; That all my Bones may well be told; Yet this as Pastime they behold. And still their Pleasure shew, At each Increase of Woe.

Verse 10

As Spoil, my Garments they divide: By Lots their Portions they decide; Therefore thy Arm extend, And kind Protection send. From their sharp Sword defend thou me, And let my Life from Danger free; Nor leave my Soul o'erpower'd, By Dogs to be devour'd.

Verse 11

To me, O GOD! Assistance send, My Life from Lions fierce defend; As once thy Strength prevail'd, When Unicorns assail'd, Then to my Brethren I'll proclaim The Triumphs of thy holy Name; And to the Saints repair, Thy Glory to declare.

Verse 12

"Praise ye the LORD in Songs divine, "Ye num'rous Race of Israel's Line; "To him with Fervour pray, "And low Obeisance pay: "His People he hath ne'er disdain'd, "Or turn's his Face when they complain'd; "But to their humble Pray'r, "Doth lend a gracious Ear.

Verse 13

Thus in thy Courts, thy Name I'll bless, And in loud Songs my Thanks express; And to thy Saints declare, Thy providential Care. The meek Companions of my Grief, Shall at my Table find Relief; And all who seek thy Face, Shall find refreshing Grace.

Verse 14

Then shall the World their Homage pay, To GOD, and his Commands obey; His Pow'r they shall confess, And Pray'rs to him address. From Kings Submission to receive, In his supreme Prerogative, Who doth the Worlds sustain; And over all Things reign.

Verse 15

The Rich his Bounty must confess, The Poor their gen'rous Patron bless; To him they all resort, For Succour and Support: Then shall a Race exalt his Name, And to their Heirs his Truth proclaim, "Till Heav'n and Earth combin'd, Are all to GOD resign'd.