- Have mercy Lord on me I pray,
- for man would me devour:
- He fighteth with me day by day,
- and troubleth me each hour.
-
- 2 Mine enemies daily enterprise,
- to swallow me outright:
- To fight against me many rise,
- O thou most high of might.
-
- 3 When they would make me most afraid
- with boasts and brags of pride:
- I trust in thee alone for aid,
- by thee will I abide:
-
- 4 God’s promise I do mind and praise,
- O Lord, I stick to thee:
- I do not care at all affairs,
- what man can do to me.
-
- 5 What things I either did or spake,
- they wrest them at their will;
- And all the counsel that they take,
- is how to work me ill.
-
- 6 They all consent themselves to hide,
- close watch for me to lay:
- They spy my paths, and snares have laid,
- to take my life away.
-
- 7 Shall they thus ‘scape on mischief set?
- thou God on them wilt frown:
- For in this wrath he doth not let,
- to throw whole kingdoms down.
-
- 8 Thou seest how oft they make me flee,
- and on my tears doest look:
- Reserve them in a glass by thee,
- and write them in thy book.
-
- 9 When I do call upon thy name,
- my foes away do start:
- I well perceive it by the same,
- that God doth take my part.
-
- 10 I glory in the word of God,
- to praise it I accord;
- With joy I will declare abroad,
- the promise of the Lord.
-
- 11 I trust in God and yet I say,
- as I before began:
- The Lord he is my help and stay,
- I do not care for man.
-
- 12 I will perform with heart so free,
- to God my vows always:
- And I (O Lord) all times to thee,
- will offer thanks and praise.
-
- 13 My soul from death thou dost defend,
- and keepest my feet upright,
- That I before thee may ascend,
- with such as live in light.
