Do thou, O God, in mercy help

1 Do Thou, O God, in mercy help;
for man my life pursues:
To crush me with repeated wrongs,
he daily strife renews.

2 Continually my spiteful foes
to ruin me combine:
Thou seest, who sitt'st enthrone'd on high,
what mighty numbers join.

3 But though sometimes surpris'd by Fear
on danger's first alarm;
Yet still for succour I depend
on thy Almighty arm.

4 God's faithful promise I shall praise,
on which I now rely:
In God I trust, and, trusting him,
the arm of flesh defy.

5 They wrest my words, and make them speak
a sense they never meant:
Their thoughts are all, with restless Ssite,
on my destruction bent.

6 In close assemblies they combine,
and wicked projects lay;
They watch my steps, and lie in wait
to make my soul their prey.

7 Shall such injustice still escape?
O righteous God, arise;
Let thy just wrath, too long provok'd
this impious race chastise.

8 Thou numb'rest all my steps, since first
I was compell'd to flee;
My very tears are treasur'd up,
and register'd by thee.

9 When therefore I invoke thy aid,
my foes shall be oe'rthrown;
For I am well assur'd, that God
my righteous cause will own.

10,11 I'll trust God's word, and so despise
the Force that man can raise;
12 To thee, O God, my vows are due;
to thee I'll render praise.

13 Thou hast retriev'd my soul from death;
and thou wilt still secure
The life thou hast so oft preserv'd,
and make my footsteps sure:

14 That thus, protected by thy pow'r,
I may this light enjoy;
And in the service of my God
my lengthen'd days employ.

Source: The Whole Book of Psalms: in metre; with hymns suited to the feasts and fasts of the church, and other occasions of public worship #LVI