- Take pity for thy promise’ sake,
- have mercy Lord on me:
- For why my soul doth her betake
- unto the help of thee.
-
- 2 Within the shadow of thy wings
- I set myself full fast:
- ‘Til mischief, malice, and like things,
- be gone and over-past.
-
- 3 I call upon the God most high,
- to whom I stick and stand:
- I mean the God that will stand by
- the cause I have in hand.
-
- 4 From heaven he hath sent his aid,
- to save me from their spite:
- That to devour me have aslaid,
- his mercy, truth, and right.
-
- 5 I lead my life with lions fell,
- all set on wrath and ire:
- And with such wicked men I dwell,
- that set like flames of fire.
-
- 6 Their teeth are spears and arrows long,
- as sharp as I have seen:
- They wound and cut with their quick tongue
- like swords and weapons keen.
-
- 7 Set up and show thyself, O God,
- above the heavens bright:
- Exalt thy praise in earth abroad,
- thy majesty and might.
-
- 8 They lay their nets, and do prepare
- a private cave and pit:
- Wherein they think my soul to snare,
- but they are fallen in it.
-
- 9 My heart is set to laud the Lord,
- in him to joy always:
- My heart I say doth well accord
- to sing his laud and praise.
-
- 10 Awake my joy, awake I say,
- my lute, my harp, and string:
- For I myself before the day
- will rise rejoice, and sing.
-
- 11 Among the people I will tell
- the goodness of my God:
- And show his praise that doth excel,
- in heathen lands abroad.
-
- 12 His mercy doth extend as far
- as heavens all are high,
- His truth as high as any star,
- that shineth in the sky.
-
- 13 Set forth and show thyself, O God,
- above the heavens bright:
- Extol thy praise on earth abroad,
- thy majesty and might.
