O Lord, I unto thee do cry

Verse 1

O Lord, I unto thee do cry, do thou make haste to me, And give an ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.

Verse 2

As incense let my prayèr be directed in thine eyes; And the uplifting of my hands as th' ev'ning sacrifice.

Verse 3

Set, Lord, a watch before my mouth, keep of my lips the door.

Verse 4

My heart incline thou not unto the ills I should abhor, To practice wicked works with men that work iniquity; And with their delicates my taste let me not satisfy.

Verse 5

Let him that righteous is me smite, it shall a kindness be; Let him reprove, I shall it count a precious oil to me: Such smiting shall not break my head; for yet the time shall fall, When I in their calamities to God pray for them shall.

Verse 6

When as their judges down shall be in stony places cast, Then shall they hear my words; for they shall sweet be to their taste.

Verse 7

About the grave's devouring mouth our bones are scattered round, As wood which men do cut and cleave lies scattered on the ground.

Verse 8

But unto thee, O God the Lord, mine eyes uplifted be: My soul do not leave destitute; my trust is set on thee.

Verse 9

Lord, keep me safely from the snares which they for me prepare; And from the subtle gins of them that wicked workers are.

Verse 10

Let workers of iniquity into their own nets fall, Whilst I do, by thine help, escape the danger of them all.