O thou supreme, that rulest over all

Verse 1

O thou supreme, that rulest over all; My rock of safety, hear me, when I call; Lest I be number'd with the silent dead, "Who wake no more, the vital spirit fled"

Verse 2

Hear, when with earnest voice to thee I plain; Be not my faithful pray'r addrest in vain; With hands uplifted I my suit prefer; Out of thy high etherial temple hear;

Verse 3

Join not thy servant with that wicked croud, In sin who wallow, and who hate the good; Whose soothing tongues lost sounds of concord yield, But whole vile hearts with villain-thoughts are fill'd.

Verse 4

Reward them, Lord, just as their deeds require; Give them, t' enjoy of wickedness the hire; Give them, to reap the miseries they sow, And, since for woe they labour, give them woe.

Verse 5

Thy counsels they, thy wond'rous works neglect, And me, the building of thy hands, reject; Therefore their impious race shalt thou destroy, Nor bless them ever with a father's joy.

Verse 6

Praise to thy name; thy name by all be fear'd! My earnest pray'r hast thou in mercy heard.

Verse 7

My strength, my shield art thou; my faithful heart On thee relied, and thou didst aid impart: Therefore with ardent gratitude she glows, And my enraptur'd tongue with praises flows.

Verse 8

For, as the swain his fleecy flock does tend, Dost thou the people, thou hast chose, defend; And thy anointed king in his distress Benign assist, and with deliv'rance bless,

Verse 9

O still preserve them; be they still thy care; And let their progeny thy goodness share; Feed them in peace; protect them with thy pow'r, Be thou their God, till time shall be no more.