Classic Poem

To my pray'r, O Lord, applying
Thine indulgent ear, give heed,
Let the voice of hardship crying
In its orisons succeed.

In the tedious hours of trouble,
As for pity thus I pine,
And my soul's complaint redouble,
Quickly to my vows incline.

For my days in pain revolving,
Like the wreathed smoke expire,
And my wasted bones dissolving,
Are like billets in the fire

In my heart I am dejected,
Wither'd like the garner'd hay,
And through dread I have neglected
The refreshment of the day

For with thine afflicting arrow
I reiterate my groans,
There's no nurture in my marrow,
Nor consistence in my bones

In this dreary situation,
Like a pelican I seem,
Or an owl, that takes her station
Where the moons on deserts gleam.

I have labour'd my researches,
Pond'ring on my lonely state,
Watching as the sparrow perches
On the house without his mate.

For their malice advantageous
This my case my foes deride;
All day long they are outrageous,
That against me are ally'd.

For with tears these ashes steeping,
I have eaten them for bread;
And my cup with bitter weeping
I have mingled on my bed.

This proceeds from thy resentment,
Which afflicts me more than all;
And the days of my contentment
Now exasperate my fall.

Vain and void of satisfaction,
All my days like shadows pass;
And through illness and inaction,
I am wither'd as the grass.

But thy Spirit by transfusion,
Height and depth eternal sounds,
And in glorious revolution
Thy memorial has no bounds.

Rise, and with thy gracious blessing,
Visit Zion in her woe;
For necessity is pressing
That thy mercy-beams should flow.

For her fabricks firm and stately
Are thy servant's grief and care,
And the rubbish, which was lately
Tow'rs and Spires aloft in air.

As thy truth their doubt convinces,
Heathen realms thy name shall fear,
And the world's remotest princes
Shall thy majesty revere.

When the Lord his domes rebuilding,
Shall again fair Zion raise,
And her roofs from Ophir gilding,
When again his glories blaze.

When he to the poor aspiring,
Shall vouchsafe his pray'rs their fruit,
And to sorrow deep-desiring
His blest Comforter depute

This a memorable chapter
In the chronicles shall stand;
And posterity with rapture
Shall adore their Saviour's hand.

For the holiest heav'ns unfolding,
In the Spirit he descends,
And terrestrial things beholding,
On our wants his love attends.

To decide the pris'ners causes,
And their bondage to unseal,
That, as human vengeance pauses,
He their sentence may repeal.

That with joy they may expatiate
On thy name at Zion's hill,
And their souls they may ingratiate,
As thy worship they fulfil.

When the multitude assemble
Their thanksgiving to unite,
And presented kingdoms tremble
At his throne, who judges right—

He my youthful strength afflicted,
As my pilgrimage I made,
And my progress interdicted,
Cutting off his blessed aid

But my soul besought assistance,
O my Saviour, spare my prime;
As for thy divine existence,
It is not of space or time.

Thou, O Lord, this earth hast founded,
And her hills and valleys deckt,
And the lucid heav'ns were rounded
By thy hands of blest effect.

They shall perish—but the splendor
Of thy glory shall endure,
They like garments must surrender
All their gloss, and be obscure.

They shall change at thy direction,
And be folded like a scroll,
But in permanent perfection
All thy years eternal roll.

Our good offspring shall continue
Through our faith in Christ his name,
And with arms of genuine sinew
Shall support their father's fame.