Thou Art My Strength

1 In Thee, O LORD, I put my trust,
asham'd ne'r let me be;
Accordingly to thy righteousness,
do thou deliver me.
2 Bow down thine ear to me: with speed
give me deliverance
To save me, be my rock of strength
And house of my defence.

3 Because Thou art my rock and fort,
in whom I will confide,
Therefore for thy name sake do thou
me safely, lead and guide.*
4 O pull me from the net which they,
for me in secret laid;
Because Thou only art my strength,
in whom I trust for aid.

5 Into thy hands I safe commit
my soul; for Thou art He,
O Thou JEHOVAH, God of truth
who hast redeemed me.*
6 The men who lying vanities
regard, I have abhor'd:
But I have plac'd my confidence
alone upon the LORD..

7 I in thy mercies will exult
and will rejoyce; for Thou
Did'st my affliction see and weigh,
my soul in trouble know;
8 And didst not let my foe keep me
enclosed in his hand;
But in the place of liberty
hast made my feet to stand.

[2 Part]

9 O Lord, because I am distress'd,
in mercy send relief:
My soul, my bowels, and mine eye,
Consumed are with grief.
10 Because my life with trouble fails;
with groans my years decay:
And for my sins my strength is spent,
my bones consume away.

11 To all my foes I am a scorn
neighbours especially;
A fear to friends; and those abroad
who see me from me fly.
12 Ev'n like a dead man, out of mind,
I quite forgotten lie;
And as the potter's vessel broke,*
so much despis'd am I.

13 For slanders I of many heard,
and fears around me lay,
While they consulted and devis'd
to take my life away.
14 But all this while on Thee, O LORD<
I trusted still for aid;
"For Thou art my almighty God,"
my soul within me said;

15 My times are wholly in thy hand;
now therefore set me free
Far from the hand of all my foes
and those who trouble me

[3 Part]

16 The brightness of thy face to shine
on me thy servant make;
And thy salvation to me grant,
For thy free mercy sake.
17 LORD, let me not ashamed be;
for call'd on Thee I have;
But wicked men shall be asham'd,
till silent in the grave.

18 The lying lips shall silenc'd be,
which grievous things have said;
And hard reports in pride and scorn
against the righteous spread.
19 How great thy goodness in thy store
for those who fear Thee, then!
Yea wrought for them who trust in Thee,
before the sons of men!

20 In secret of thy presence Thou
wilt screen them from man's pride,
And safely wilt from strive of tongues
in thy pavilion hide.
21 O let JEHOVAH blessed be,
for wondrous kindness shown
when threatning dangers me enclos'd
within a fenced town.*

22 For in my haste I tho't and said;
"I'm cut off from thine eyes,"
Yet when I cry'd to Thee, then Thou
didst kindly hear my cries.
23 O love the LORD all ye his saints!
the LORD the faithful guards;
But those who live and act in pride,
He dreadfully rewards.

24 Encourage then your selves in him,
and he'll more strength afford
To your enfeebled hearts, all ye
whose hope is in the LORD.