The Psalms of David ‎#XLII

XLII. As pants the Hart for cooling Streams

1 As pants the Hart for cooling Streams,
When heated in the Chace;
So longs my Soul, Oh GOD! for thee,
And thy refreshing Grace:
For thee my Soul doth pine,
Thou Majesty divine!
Oh when shall I behold thy Face,
And drink of thy refreshing Grace?

2 Tears are my constant Food, while thus
Insulting Foes upbraid,
"Deluded Wretch, where's now thy GOD,
"And where his promis'd Aid?"
My Thoughts, with Grief, present
The Days I did frequent
Thy sacred House, my Vows to pay,

3 Why restless, why cast down, my Soul?
Trust GOD, he will employ
His Aid for thee, and change these Sighs
To thankful Hymns of Joy.
My Soul, tho' much distrest,
Thy Name, Oh GOD, hath blest;
Rememb'ring thee, and Sion still,
From Jordan's Bank, and Hermon's Hill.

4 One Trouble calls another on,
And bursting o'er my Head,
Fall spouting down, till round my Soul,
A roaring Sea is spread;'
Like Wares together roll'd,
Whose Rage is uncontroul'd,
My growing Sorrows gather round,
And still my Soul with Fear confound.

5 But when thy Presence, Lord of Life!
(As I have thee implor'd,)
Dispells at once this threat'ning Storm,
And hath a Calm restor'd;
My Soul shall bless thy Name,
Thy Goodness I'll proclaim;
To Thee I'll midnight Anthems raise,
And daily strive to sing thy Praise.

6 God of my Strength! how long shall I
Like one forgotten, mourn?
Forlorn, forsaken, and expos'd
To my Oppressor's Scorn;
While thus my Foes upbraid,
"Where's now thy promis'd Aid?"
"Thy empty Boastings are in vain,
Thy GOD will not relieve thy Pain."

11 Why restless, why cast down, my Soul?
Trust GOD, and he'll employ
His Aid for thee, and change these Sighs,
To thankful Hymns of Joy:
If thou wilt yet depend,
On GOD, thy only Friend;
The Praise of him thou yet shalt sing,
Who is thy Health's eternal Spring.

Text Information

• First Line: As pants the Hart for cooling Streams
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1767
• Scripture:
  Psalm 42
• Topic: Prayers: When deprived ot the Opportunitys of attending in God's House

Tune Information

• Name: [As pants the hart for cooling streams]
• Key: F Major