The Psalms of David ‎#XXXVIII

XXXVIII. Thy chast'ning wrath, O LORD, restrain

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

2 My Flesh is one continued Wound,
Because thy Wrath so fiercely glows;
Betwixt my Pain and Guilt,
My Bones have no Repose:
My Sins, which to a Deluge swell,
My sinking Head almost o'erflow;
And for my Strength to bear,
Too great a Burden grow.

3 Stench and Corruption fill my Wounds,
My foul Offences just Return;
In Trouble I am brought,
And all Day long I mourn.
A loath'd Disease afflicts my Loins,
Infecting ev'ry inward Part;
And constantly I groan,
Through Anguish of my Heart.

Part II

4 But, LORD, before thy searching Eyes,
All my Desires must sure appear;
My Groans have been too loud,
Not to have reach'd thine Ear.
My Heart's oppress'd, my Strength decay'd,
My feeble Eyes depriv'd of Light:
My Friends and Kinsmen gaze
On such a dismal Sight.

5 Mean while, the Foes that seek my Life,
Their secret Snares to take me set;
And all the Day contrive
To forge some new Deceit.
But I, as if both deaf and dumb,
Nor heard, nor once reply'd,
Like one whose silent Tongue
By conscious Guilt is ty'd.

6 For LORD! to thee, I do appeal,
My clouded Innocence to clear;
For Thou, the righteous GOD,
My injur'd Cause wilt hear.
"Hear me, said I, lest my proud Foes,
"A spiteful Triumph should display;
"If they should see my Foot,
"But once to go astray.

7 Lo! with continual Grief oppress'd,
To sink, I must at length begin;
To thee I will confess,
To Thee bewail my Sin:
But whilst I languish, my proud Foes,
Still of their Strength and Vigour boast;
And they, who trouble me
Are grown a dreadful Host.

8 Ev'n they whom I oblig'd, return
My loving Kindness with Despite;
And hate me, but because,
I chuse the Path that's right.
Forsake me not, oh LORD my GOD!
Nor from me, in Distress, depart;
Haste thou to my Relief,
Who my Salvation art.

Text Information

• First Line: Thy chast'ning wrath, O LORD, restrain
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1767
• Scripture:
  Psalm 38
• Topic: Prayers: When sick; Prayers: Of a Sinner to obtain Forgiveness of Sins

Tune Information

• Name: [Thy chast'ning Wrath, O Lord, restrain]
• Key: d minor