A New Version of the Psalms of David ‎#75

75. Thy chast'ning Wrath, O Lord, restrain

1 Thy chast'ning Wrath, O Lord, restrain,
tho' I deserve it all;
Nor let at once on me the Storm
of thy Displeasure fall.
2 In ev'ry wretched Part of me
thy Arrows deep remain;
Thy heavy Hand's afflicting Weight
I can no more sustain.

3 My Flesh is one continu'd Wound,
Thy Wrath so fiercely glows;
Betwixt my Punishment and Guilt,
my Bones have no Repose.
4 My Sins, which to a Deluge swell,
my sinking Head o'erflow;
And, for my feeble Strength to bear,
too vast a Burden grow.

5 Stench and Corruption fill my Wounds,
my Folly's just Return:
6 With Trouble I am warp'd and bow'd,
and all Day long I mourn.
7 A loath'd Disease afflicts my Loins,
infecting ev'ry Part;
8 With Sickness worn, I groan and roar,
thro' Anguish of my Heart.

Part II

9 But, Lord, before thy searching Eyes
all my Desires appear;
And, sure, my Groans have been too loud,
not to have reach'd thine Ear.
10 My Heart oppress'd, my Strength decay'd,
my Eyes depriv'd of Light:
11 Friends, Lovers, Kinsmen, gaze aloof
on such a dismal Sight.

12 Mean while, the Foes that seek my Life,
their Snares to take me set;
Vent Slanders,and contrive all Day
to forge some new Deceit.
13 But I, as if both deaf and dumb,
nor heard, nor once reply'd;
14 Quite deaf and dumb, like one whose tongue
with conscious Guilt is ty'd.

15 For Lord, to Thee, I do appeal,
my Innocence to clear;
Assur'd that Thou, the righteous God,
my injur'd Cause wilt hear.
16 "Hear me," said I, "lest my proud Foes
"a spiteful Joy display;
"Insulting, if they see my foot
"but once to go astray."

17 And, with continual Grief oppress'd,
to sink I now begin.
18 To Thee, O Lord, I will confess,
to Thee bewail my sin.
19 But whilst I languish, my proud Foes
their Strength and Vigour boast;
And they who hate me without Cause,
are grown a dreadful Host.

20 Ev'n they whom I oblig'd, return
my Kindness with Despite;
And are my Enemies, because,
I chuse the Path that's right.
21 Forsake me not, O Lord my God,
nor far from me depart;
22 Make haste to my Relief, O Thou
who my Salvation art.

Text Information

• First Line: Thy chast'ning Wrath, O Lord, restrain
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1754
• Scripture:
  Psalm 38

Tune Information

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