Classic Poem

Part I.

My God! O why hast Thou forsook,
Why, O so far withdrawn Thine aid,
Nor when I roared pity took?
My God, by day to Thee I pray'd,
And when night's curtains were display'd;
Yet wouldst not Thou vouchsafe a look.

Yet Thou art holy, thron'd on high,
The Israelites Thy praise resound;
Our fathers did on Thee rely,
Their faith with wreaths of conquest crown'd:
They sought, and Thy deliv'rance found;

They trusted, and Thy truth did try.
But I, a worm, no man, am made
The scorn of men, despis'd by all;
Who shake their heads, make mouths, upbraid.
Let God, say they, redeem from thrall,
On whom thy hopes so vainly call,
Now let Him His beloved aid.

Thou drew'st me from the womb, by Thee
Confirmed at my mother's breast,
When born, Thou took'st the charge of me,
Ev'n from my birth my God profess'd;
O succour me, with fear distress'd,
Thou canst alone Thy servant free!

Part II.

Incensed bulls about me stare;
Strong bulls of Bashan girt me round,
Who their inflamed mouths prepare,
Like rav'nous lions, to confound;
I'm spilt like water on the ground,
And all my bones disjointed are.

My heart like wax within me thaws;
My vigour as a pot-sherd dried;
My thirsty tongue cleaves to my jaws,
In dust of death Thou dost me hide;
Dogs compass me on ev'ry side,
And multitudes who hate Thy laws.

My hands and feet transfixed are,
Bones, to be told, with anguish waste;
This seen with joy, my robes they share,
Lots on my seamless garment cast.
My Strength, to my redemption haste!
Nor O be deaf to my sad pray'r!

Let not the sword Thy servant wound,
My dearling from the dog protect;
From lions that in rage abound,
From unicorns guard Thy elect.
I then my brethren will direct;
Among the saints Thy praise resound.

Part III.

O praise Him you who fear the Lord,
You sons of Jacob, God adore;
Let Israel's seed His praise record,
For from their cries who help implore
His Face he hides not, nor the poor
In their affliction hath abhorr'd.

I in the great assembly shall
Declare His works, which words exceed;
And pay my vows before them all.
The meek abundantly shall feed,
The faithful praise their Help at need,
Nor by the stroke of death shall fall.

All who behold the sun's uprise,
Shall God profess, and serve alone;
And all the heathen families
Shall cast themselves before His throne,
Because the kingdom is His own;
For over all His empire lies.

Who in prosperity abound,
Nor undeserved honours gain;
Who poorly creep upon the ground,
And scarce their needy lives sustain,
Shall eat, and to His easy reign
Submit, with joys eternal crown'd.

Their sanctified posterity
Shall ever celebrate His name;
Adopted sons of the Most High,
They shall His righteousness proclaim,
And works of everlasting fame,
To their believing progeny.