Voce mea

Verse 1

I with my voice to God did cry, who lent a gracious ear, My voice I lifted up on high, and he my suit did hear:

Verse 2

In time of grief I sought to God, by night no rest I took, But stretch'd my hand to him abroad, comfort my soul forsook.

Verse 3

When I to think on God intend, my trouble then is more; I spake, but could not make an end, my breath was stopt so sore.

Verse 4

Thou dost my eyes so hold from rest, that I'm always awake; With fear I am so sore opprest, my speech doth me forsake:

Verse 5

The days of old in mind I cast, and oft do think upon The times and ages that are past full many years agone:

Verse 6

By night my songs I call to mind, once made thy praise to show; And with my heart much talk I find, my spirits search to know:

Verse 7

Will God, said I, at once for all cast off his people thus, So that henceforth no time he shall be friendly unto us?

Verse 8

What, is his goodness quite decay'd, and passed clean away? Or is his promise now delay'd, and doth his truth decay?

Verse 9

And will the Lord our God forget his mercies manifold? Or shall his wrath increase so hot, his mercies to with-hold?

Verse 10

At last, I said, This surely is mine own infirmity; But his right-hand can help all this, and change it speedily.

Verse 11

I will regard and think upon the working of the Lord, And all his wonders past and gone I gladly will record:

Verse 12

Yea, all his words I will declare, and what he did devise; To tell his facts I will not spare, and all his counsel wise.

Verse 13

Thy works, O Lord, are all upright, and holy all abroad; What one hath strength to match the might of thee, the Lord our God.

Verse 14

Thou art a God that dost forth-show thy wonders ev'ry hour, And so dost make the people know thy virtue and thy pow'r.

Verse 15

And thy own folk thou dost defend with an out-stretched arm, Those that from Jacob did descend, and Joseph's seed from harm.

Verse 16

The waters, Lord, perceived thee, the waters saw thee well; And they for fear away did flee, the depths on trembling fell.

Verse 17

The clouds that were both thick and black did rain full plenteously, The thunder in the air did crack, thy shafts abroad did fly;

Verse 18

Thy thunder in the air was heard, the lightnings from above, With flashes great made men afraid, the earth did quake and move.

Verse 19

Thy ways within the sea do lie, thy paths in waters deep; Yet none can there thy steps espy, or know thy paths to keep.

Verse 20

Thou ledd'st thy folk upon the land as sheep on ev'ry side; By Moses and by Aaron's hand thou didst them safely guide.