From shame and insult set me free

1 From shame and insult set me free,
For still, O Lord, I trust in thee;
Once more your kind assistance lend,
Once more thy servant's cause defend:
As just and righteous is thy name,
So let me now thy favour claim.

2 Bow down, O Lord! thy gracious ear,
Do thou my stedfast rock appear;
To me some speedy succour send,
My soul for danger to defend:
Hear thou my voice, when I complain,
And still my righteous cause maintain.

3 Since thou'rt my rock, and foes oppress,
Oh lead me out of this distress!
Thy wonted help, my God, impart,
For thou my strength and fortress art:
To thee alone I look for aid,
To shun the snares my foes have laid.

4 Thou God of mercy, love and truth!
Who hast preserv'd me, from my youth;
My life, my soul, and all that's mine,
To thee I willingly resign:
To thee my soul for succour flies,
For those I hate, who trust in lies.

Part II

5 To thee, O God of truth and love,
My spirit I commit;
Thou hast redeem'd my soul from death,
And sav'd me from the pit.

6 Despair and comfort, hope and fear
Maintain'd a doubtful strife;
While sorrow, pain, and sin conspir'd
To take away my life.

7 "My time is in thy hand, I cry'd,
"Though I draw near the dust:"
Thou art the refuge where I hide,
The God in whom I trust.

8 Oh make thy reconciled face
Upon thy servant shine,
And save me for thy mercy's sake,
For I'm entirely thine.

9 'Twas in my haste, my spirit said,
"I must despair and die,
"I am cut off before thine eyes;"
But thou hast heart my cry.

10 Thy goodness how divinely free!
How sweet thy smiling face,
To those that fear thy majesty,
And trust thy promis'd grace.

11 Oh love the Lord, all ye his saints,
And sing his praises loud;
He'll bend his ear to your complaints,
And recompense the proud.

Part III.

12 My heart rejoices in thy name,
My God, my heav'nly trust;
Thou hast preserv'd me free from shame,
Mine honour from the dist.

13 "My life is spent with grief, I cry'd,
"My years consum'd in groans,
"My strength decays, mine eyes are dry'd,
"And sorrow wastes my bones."

14 Among mine enemies my name
A proverb vile was grown,
While to my neighbours I beaome
Forgotten and unknown.

15 Slander and fear on ev'ry side
Seiz'd and beset me round,
I to thy throne of grace apply'd,
And speedy rescue found.

16 How great deliv'rance thou hast wrought
Before the sons of men!
The lying lips to silence brought,
And made their boasting vain!

17 Thy children from the strife of tongues
Shall thy pavilion hide,
Guard them from infamy and wrongs,
And crunch the sons of pride.

18 Within thy secret presence Lord,
Let me for ever dwell;
No fenced city wall'd and bar'd
Secures a saint so well.

Part IV.

19 O! all ye saints,the Lord
With eager love pursue;
Who to the just will help afford,
And give the proud their due.

20 Ye that on God rely,
Courageously proceed;
For he will still your hearts supply
With strength in time of need.

Source: The Psalms of David: with hymns and spiritual songs: also, the catechism, confession of faith, and liturgy of the Reformed Church in the Netherlands #31

• MIDI file from The Psalms of David: with the Ten Commandments, Creed, Lord's Prayer, &c. in metre...for the use of the Reformed Protestant Dutch church of the city of New York #XXXI