Lord , save me from mine enemies,
From those who thus against me rise,
Like an incensed flood;
From those who in impiety
Place their delight, and long to dye
Their hands in guiltless blood.

Lo! for my soul they lie in wait,
The mighty join their pow'r and hate,
Without my blame or crime.
Without my crime they weapons take,
And persecute my soul. Awake
My God! assist in time.

Great God of hosts, of Israel,
These all-oppressing tyrants quell,
Nor be to mercy won.
At night their mischief they begin,
Incens'd, like snarling dogs they grin,
And through the city run.

Behold! they vomit bitter words,
Between their lips they brandish swords,
Yet say, Can these be known?
But, Lord, Thou shalt their threats deride,
The empty terror of their pride,
And malice vainly shown.

Part II.

I and my strength are in Thy pow'r,
In Thee I trust, my shield, my tow'r,
Thy mercy, Lord, how great!
My foes subjectest to my will;
Subdue and scatter, but not kill,
Lest we Thy truth forget.

O be they in their pride surpris'd,
Ev'n for the lies they have devis'd,
Their curses and close arts.
Consume them, from the land expell,
To shew, God reigns in Israel,
To earth's remotest parts.

Hopeless let them return with night,
Like grinning dogs bark, but not bite,
About the city roam;
Pale, meagre, and half-famished,
Like vagabonds howl they for bread,
Without or food or home.

But I, before the day-star spring,
Will of Thy pow'r and mercy sing,
My safety in distress.
Thou art my rock, my strong defence,
My living verse Thy excellence
And bounty shall express.