Classic Poem

Part I.

I TO Thy wing for refuge fly,
Protect me from foul infamy,
Lord, in Thy justice save.
Deliver from their treach'rous snares,
O, favourably hear my pray'rs,
Snatch from the yawning grave.

Be Thou my fortress of defence,
There let me fix my residence,
O Thou, my rock, my tow'r!
Who hast Thy angels giv'n in charge,
That they Thy servants should enlarge
From circumventing pow'r.

Deliver from their cruel might
Whose wicked hands in blood delight,
Lest I their prey become.
Thou art my hope; ev'n from my youth
Have I relied upon Thy truth,
By Thee kept in the womb.

From thence extracted by Thy care,
Though as a prodigy they stare
On me with wond'ring eyes;
Yet Thee, my strength, my song shall praise,
And to the stars Thy glory raise,
While suns shall set and rise.

Part II.

O cast not off when full of days,
Forsake not when my strength decays,
Watch'd by conspiring foes.
God hath abandon'd him, say they,
Now let us make his life our prey,
Who shall our pow'r oppose?

My God, close to Thy servant stand,
And help him with a speedy hand;
Those in their pride confound
Who persecute my wretched soul,
Let death their impious rage control,
And with dishonour wound.

But I will ever hope, and raise
My voice to multiply Thy praise;
Thy righteousness display,
Thy manifold deliveries,
Which O no number can comprise;
Thus spend the harmless day.

I in Thy strength, though old and weak,
Will walk, and of Thy justice speak,
Of Thine, ev'n Thine alone.
Thou hast inform'd me from my youth;
I, to this hour, with single truth,
Thy wondrous works have shown.

Part III.

Now in the winter of my years,
When time hath snow'd upon my hairs,
Abandon not, O Lord;
Till I unto this age proclaim
Thy mighty pow'r, in songs the same
Unto the next record.

Thy counsels' depth our search exceeds,
How admirable are Thy deeds!
O who is like to Thee?
Thou hast afflictions on me lain,
Yet shalt Thou quicken me again,
And from earth's entrails free.

Still Thou my glory wilt increase,
And comfort with the joys of peace.
I, in a living verse,
Unto my warbling harp will sing
Thy praises, O Eternal King,
Thy noble acts rehearse.

Unto my voice and instrument
Shall my exalted soul consent,
By Thee redeem'd from death;
Thy justice ev'ry day proclaim,
That now hast cloth'd my foes with shame,
Dispersed by Thy breath.