With ardent voice unto the Lord I cry

Verse 1

With ardent voice unto the Lord I cry; With uplift hands implore his clemency.

Verse 2

To him lay open all my secret grief, And in sad anguish beg his swift relief.

Verse 3

While in the depths of woe, O God, I lay, Thou know'st how firm I trod the perfect way; Thou know'st how my inhuman foes prepar'd Their toils, thy faithful servant to 've ensnar'd.

Verse 4

I look'd for aid, but no kind friend was near; No friend, my faint and sinking soul to chear; No faithful friend to curb my cruel foes, To stem the torrent, and their wrongs t' oppose.

Verse 5

'Twas then, thy mercy I invok'd, O Lord, Call'd thee my refuge, and thy aid implor'd, Resolv'd, while life thou gav'st me to enjoy, On thee and thy protection to rely.

Verse 6

O hear me now, for I'm in great distress, With killing wrongs the men of blood oppress.

Verse 7

From the drear prison thou thy servant raise, That he thy great, thy glorious name may praise; That thee the righteous may in hymns extol; The God whose goodness guards the humble soul.