Support for the Afflicted and Tempted Soul

Verse 1

O God, my refuge, hear my cries, Behold my flowing tears;, For earth and hell my hurt devise, And triumph in my fears.

Verse 2

Their rage is level'd at my life, My soul with guilt they load, And fill my thoughts with inward strife, To shake my hopes in God.

Verse 3

What inward pains my heart-strings wound, I groan with ev'ry breath; Horror and fear beset me round Amongst the shades of death.

Verse 4

Oh were I like a feather'd dove, And innocence had wings; I’d fly, and make a long remove From all these restless things.

Verse 5

Let me to some wild desert go, And find a peaceful home, Where storms of malice never blow, Temptations never come.

Verse 6

Vain hopes, and vain inventions all To ’scape the rage of hell! The mighty God on whom I call, Can save me here as well.

Verse 7

By morning light I’ll seek his face, At noon repeat my cry, The night shall hear me ask his grace, Nor will he long deny.

Verse 8

God shall preserve my soul from fear, Or shield me when afraid; Ten thousand angels must appear If he command their aid.

Verse 9

I cast my burdens on the Lord, The Lord sustains them all; My courage rests upon his word, That saints shall never fall.

Verse 10

My highest hopes shall not be vain, My lips shall spread his praise; While cruel and deceitful men, Scarce live out half their days.