PSALM XXXVIII.

Tate and Brady

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 continued wound,
Thy wrath so fiercely glows;
Betwixt my punishment and guilt
My bones have no repose.

4 My sins, that 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,
Through anguish of my heart.

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's opprest, my strength decay'd,
My eyes depriv'd of light;
11 Friends, lovers, kinsmen, gaze aloof
On such a dismal sight.

12 Meanwhile 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 replied;
14 Quite deaf and dumb, like one whose tongue
With conscious guilt is tied.

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 opprest,
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 that hate me without cause
Are grown a dreadful host.

20 E'en they, whom I oblig'd, return
My kindness with despite;
And are my enemies, because
I choose 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.