Psalm 86 (Tate & Brady)

1 To my complaint, O Lord my God,

thy gracious ear incline;

Hear me, distressed and destitute

of all relief but thine!

2 Do thou, O God, preserve my soul,

that does thy Name adore;

Thy servant keep, and him, whose trust

relies on thee, restore.

3 To me, who daily thee invoke,

thy mercy, Lord, extend;

4 Refresh thy servant's soul, whose hopes

on thee alone depend.

5 Thou, Lord, art good; nor only good,

but prompt to pardon too;

Of plenteous mercy to all those

who for thy mercy sue.

6 To my repeated humble pray'r,

O Lord, attentive be;

7 When troubled I on thee will call,

for thou wilt answer me.

8 Among the gods there's none like thee,

O Lord, alone divine!

To thee as much inferior they,

as are their works to thine.

9 Therefore their great creator thee,

the nation shall adore,

Their long misguided pray'rs and praise

to thy blest Name restore.

10 All shall confess thee great, and great

the wonders thou hast done:

Confess thee God, the God supreme;

confess thee God alone.

The Second Part.

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and I

from truth shall ne'er depart;

In rev'rence to thy sacred Name

devoutly fix my heart.

12 Thee will I praise, O Lord my God,

praise thee with heart sincere,

And to thy everlasting Name

eternal trophies rear.

13 Thy boundless mercies shown to me

transcend my pow'r to tell,

For thou hast oft redeemed my soul

from lowest depths of hell.

14 O God, the sons of pride and strife

have my destruction sought,

Regardless of thy pow r, that oft

has my deliv'rance wrought.

15 But thou thy constant goodness didst

to my assistance bring;

Of patience, mercy, and of truth,

thou everlasting spring!

16 O bounteous Lord, thy grace and strength

to me thy servant show;

Thy kind protection, Lord, on me,

thine handmaid's son, bestow.

17 Some signal give, which my proud foes

may see with shame and rage,

When thou, O Lord, for my relief

and comfort dost engage.