- Like as the Hart doth breath and bray
- the wellspring to obtain:
- So doth my soul desire alway
- with thee Lord to remain.
-
- 2 My soul doth thirst, and would draw near
- the living God of might:
- Oh when shall I come and appear
- in presence of thy sight?
-
- 3 The tears all times are my repast,
- which from mine eyes do slide:
- When wicked men cry out so fast,
- where now is God thy guide?
-
- 4 Alas, what grief is this to think
- what freedom once I had?
- Therefore my soul as at pit’s brink
- most heavy is and sad.
- When I did march in good array,
- furnished with my train,
- Unto the temple was our way,
- with songs and hearts most faine.
-
- 5 My heart why art thou sad always,
- and fretst thus in my breast
- Trust still in God, for him to praise
- I hold it ever best.
- By him I have succor at need
- against all pain and grief:
- He is my God which with all speed
- will haste to send relief.
-
- 6 And thus my soul within me Lord
- doth faint to think upon,
- The land of Jordan, and record
- the little hill Hermon.
-
- 7 On grief another in doth call,
- as clouds burst out their voice:
- The floods of evil that do fall,
- run over me with noise.
-
- 8 Yet I by day felt thy goodness,
- and help at all affairs:
- Likewise by night I did not cease
- the living God to praise.
-
- 9 I am persuaded thus to say
- to him with pure pretence:
- O Lord, thou art my guide and stay,
- my rock, and my defense,
- Why do I then in pensiveness
- hanging the head thus walk?
- While that mine enemies me oppress
- and vex me with their talk.
-
- 10 For why? they vex mine inward parts,
- with pangs to be abhorred:
- When they cry out with stubborn hearts,
- where is thy God thy Lord?
-
- 11 So soon why dost thou faint and quail,
- my soul with pain oppressed?
- With thoughts why dost thy self assail,
- so sore within my breasts?
-
- 12 Trust in the Lord thy God always,
- and thou the time shalt see,
- To give him thanks with laud and praise,
- for health restored to thee.
